Toronto considering expanded smoking ban; public consultations planned

TORONTO – Toronto’s board of health says it will go ahead with public consultations on a proposed expansion of the city’s smoking ban.

The proposed ban expansion would prohibit smoking at uncovered restaurant patios, public sports fields, hospital grounds, bus stops, public squares and entranceways.

A report released last month by Toronto’s medical officer of health linked reductions in second-hand smoke exposure and the number of young smokers to previous anti-smoking legislation.

However, the report states that the decline in adult smoking rates in the city has plateaued since 2001, with about one in five young adults still smoking.

The medical officer of health will present results from public consultations to the board next year.