There is NO safe level of second-hand smoke even outdoors

Ottawa lags far behind a growing list of Canadian cities and provinces that prohibit smoking on patios (e.g., Vancouver, Victoria, Saskatoon, and Kingston, in addition to all of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Alberta and the Yukon).

Many Canadian cities prohibit smoking in parks and/or playgrounds (e.g., Vancouver, Whistler, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, Belleville, Barrie, Cornwall, Peterborough, Thunder Bay and 16 other Ontario communities).

U.S. jurisdictions have also adopted smoke-free legislation for outdoor spaces. Los Angeles prohibits smoking in outdoor dining areas. New York City prohibits smoking in parks, beaches, marinas, boardwalks and pedestrian plazas.

We believe that Ottawa's citizens deserve the same level of protection from second-hand smoke in outdoor spaces. Many of you agreed. In fact, 500 people took our poll on smoke-free outdoor spaces. Click here for the poll results.