Public health advises more smoke-free areas
Parks, patios, beaches, market vendors would fall under proposed regulations
New regulations proposed by Ottawa public health officials would create smoke-free spaces at more than 1,000 city parks, more than 200 patios, four beaches and areas outside about 300 city facilities, such as arenas and City Hall.
Even vendor stands at the Parkdale and ByWard markets would fall under new smoke-free bylaws that are to go before the city's board of health on Feb. 6, with the goal of having any new rules in place by the time warm weather arrives and patios and markets open.
Events on municipal properties would also be smoke-free under the proposed changes.
"We're doing this because second-hand smoke is a health hazard," said Dr. Isra Levy, the city's medical officer of health.
"We know that it can be as toxic outdoors as indoors," Levy told reporters and councillors on Monday, adding that there is strong correlation between smoke-free regulations and reduced smoking rates and exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as increased attempts to quit smoking.
If the changes go ahead, officials would begin cracking down on offenders starting July 2, after a warning phase beginning in April. Someone who violates the rules would risk a $305 fine, said Linda Anderson, the city's chief of bylaw and regulatory services, adding the department expects a high level of voluntary compliance.
The proposed bylaws are part of a three-year renewed smoke-free strategy that would also increase services and programming to help people stop smoking, and provide public education campaigns and a community engagement plan.
The initiatives will be paid for through a reallocation of provincial "tobacco funding," according to officials. Ottawa Public Health receives about $1.8 million a year for tobacco-related programming and services, most of which comes from the province.
Mike Ziola, chairman of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association's Ottawa chapter, said the recommendations are an "evolution" of the city's smoke-free bylaws that were approved 11 years ago, and were not surprising.
The industry would prefer to see fines start in September, rather than July, in order to allow owners to become accustomed to the new rules, he said, and there are some concerns, especially in the By-Ward Market, about "where we're going to put people to go and smoke."
There are plans for tobacco anti-litter campaigns, and existing butt receptacles are to be moved to areas that are convenient to smokers, according to a health unit report.
Ottawa has two bylaws that prohibit smoking in indoor public places and enclosed workplaces. There was heated debate in 2001 when council banned smoking in bars, restaurants and gaming rooms.
On Monday, Somerset Councillor Diane Holmes, chair of the board of health, said that officials have come up with a "complete package" that would see Ottawa "be a healthier place."
"Really, what we're doing is catching up with our population. The people in Ottawa want to see less smoking," she said.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson called the proposed changes "a balanced and sensible approach to protecting the public's health," and said he is very supportive.
Even vendor stands at the Parkdale and ByWard markets would fall under new smoke-free bylaws that are to go before the city's board of health on Feb. 6, with the goal of having any new rules in place by the time warm weather arrives and patios and markets open.
Events on municipal properties would also be smoke-free under the proposed changes.
"We're doing this because second-hand smoke is a health hazard," said Dr. Isra Levy, the city's medical officer of health.
"We know that it can be as toxic outdoors as indoors," Levy told reporters and councillors on Monday, adding that there is strong correlation between smoke-free regulations and reduced smoking rates and exposure to second-hand smoke, as well as increased attempts to quit smoking.
If the changes go ahead, officials would begin cracking down on offenders starting July 2, after a warning phase beginning in April. Someone who violates the rules would risk a $305 fine, said Linda Anderson, the city's chief of bylaw and regulatory services, adding the department expects a high level of voluntary compliance.
The proposed bylaws are part of a three-year renewed smoke-free strategy that would also increase services and programming to help people stop smoking, and provide public education campaigns and a community engagement plan.
The initiatives will be paid for through a reallocation of provincial "tobacco funding," according to officials. Ottawa Public Health receives about $1.8 million a year for tobacco-related programming and services, most of which comes from the province.
Mike Ziola, chairman of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association's Ottawa chapter, said the recommendations are an "evolution" of the city's smoke-free bylaws that were approved 11 years ago, and were not surprising.
The industry would prefer to see fines start in September, rather than July, in order to allow owners to become accustomed to the new rules, he said, and there are some concerns, especially in the By-Ward Market, about "where we're going to put people to go and smoke."
There are plans for tobacco anti-litter campaigns, and existing butt receptacles are to be moved to areas that are convenient to smokers, according to a health unit report.
Ottawa has two bylaws that prohibit smoking in indoor public places and enclosed workplaces. There was heated debate in 2001 when council banned smoking in bars, restaurants and gaming rooms.
On Monday, Somerset Councillor Diane Holmes, chair of the board of health, said that officials have come up with a "complete package" that would see Ottawa "be a healthier place."
"Really, what we're doing is catching up with our population. The people in Ottawa want to see less smoking," she said.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson called the proposed changes "a balanced and sensible approach to protecting the public's health," and said he is very supportive.
"We know that secondhand smoke kills people, and if we're able to minimize the public's exposure to secondhand smoke, whether it's in a playground or a patio, then that's the right thing to do," he said.
During the review, health officials held consultations with residents, businesses and other interested parties about smoke-free areas.
Levy said a lot of input was received from smokers, and officials found that "smokers, in general, support the direction that we're moving in," although in lower numbers than non-smokers.
Still, more than 50 per cent of smokers supported expanding smoke-free spaces, Levy said, anticipating that it reflects an understanding and respect for non-smokers, and recognition that the strategy would help people who want to stop smoking.
Officials considered other areas, such as hospitals, colleges and universities, constructions sites and hotels, but found that, depending on the site, there were concerns around public readiness for a ban, legal impediments, and the potential costs of enforcement and implementation, Levy said.
The city says about 15 per cent of Ottawa residents smoke, and the smoking rate "has levelled off since 2005 after steep declines in earlier years."
An anti-smoking group leader said the proposed bylaws are the "basis of a really important change."
"Basically, they'll have dealt with the majority of the remaining problem for public exposure," said Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.
Public-health staff also looked into the regulation of shisha-pipe (hookah or waterpipe) establishments, where some of what's being called a herbal product has been found to contain tobacco.
Staff recommended having Holmes, as the chair of the board of health, write letters calling for other levels of government to bring in tougher rules and legislation pertaining to tobacco water-pipe products and other substances that are smoked.
Anderson said bylaw staff will continue to monitor shisha-pipe establishments. (In 2011, inspection blitzes of 20 known water-pipe establishments in Ottawa resulted in provincial offence notices being issued to all but one of them, for offences such as selling tobacco without a required licence.)
Following consideration by the board of health, the recommended bylaws are to go to council's community and protective services committee on Feb. 15, and council on Feb. 22.
ncockburn@ottawacitizen.com
Twitter.com/NecoCockburn
During the review, health officials held consultations with residents, businesses and other interested parties about smoke-free areas.
Levy said a lot of input was received from smokers, and officials found that "smokers, in general, support the direction that we're moving in," although in lower numbers than non-smokers.
Still, more than 50 per cent of smokers supported expanding smoke-free spaces, Levy said, anticipating that it reflects an understanding and respect for non-smokers, and recognition that the strategy would help people who want to stop smoking.
Officials considered other areas, such as hospitals, colleges and universities, constructions sites and hotels, but found that, depending on the site, there were concerns around public readiness for a ban, legal impediments, and the potential costs of enforcement and implementation, Levy said.
The city says about 15 per cent of Ottawa residents smoke, and the smoking rate "has levelled off since 2005 after steep declines in earlier years."
An anti-smoking group leader said the proposed bylaws are the "basis of a really important change."
"Basically, they'll have dealt with the majority of the remaining problem for public exposure," said Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.
Public-health staff also looked into the regulation of shisha-pipe (hookah or waterpipe) establishments, where some of what's being called a herbal product has been found to contain tobacco.
Staff recommended having Holmes, as the chair of the board of health, write letters calling for other levels of government to bring in tougher rules and legislation pertaining to tobacco water-pipe products and other substances that are smoked.
Anderson said bylaw staff will continue to monitor shisha-pipe establishments. (In 2011, inspection blitzes of 20 known water-pipe establishments in Ottawa resulted in provincial offence notices being issued to all but one of them, for offences such as selling tobacco without a required licence.)
Following consideration by the board of health, the recommended bylaws are to go to council's community and protective services committee on Feb. 15, and council on Feb. 22.
ncockburn@ottawacitizen.com
Twitter.com/NecoCockburn
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