A potential smoking ban on Winnipeg patios has many residents fired up.
City council passed a motion Wednesday to ask the Manitoba Government to consider extending restrictions on its province-wide indoor smoking ban.
The move would now include a smoking ban on outdoor patios of restaurants and bars.
“I get a lot of complaints of people that go to patios with their families who are breathing in second hand smoke, and we all know the perils of second hand smoke,” Coun. Dan Vandal said Wednesday.
Vandal and Coun. Paula Havixbeck brought the idea forward. In May, a survey commissioned by the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance found 67% of Manitobans support the additional restriction.
“For those who don’t smoke, and those who are not in favour of second hand smoke, I think it’s a fantastic decision,” patio-goer Bill Weissmann said.
But the Manitoba government said it’s not considering a province-wide ban in this capacity.
“Municipalities do have authority to further restrict public smoking. Should a municipality, such as the City of Winnipeg, want to proceed with such a ban they have the legislative authority to do so,” the province said in a statement.
And while the city has the authority, some question whether the restriction is going too far.
“It’s getting to be too much, in my opinion, as far as infringement on our personal rights,” Nancy Fullerton said.
It’s unclear if, or when, the city would impose the patio smoking ban.
As of July 1, 2014 – under new provincial rules – all playgrounds, beaches and provincial parks will be smoke free.
