Outdoor smoking restrictions in Toronto parks approved by committee

Toronto’s parks and environment committee unanimously endorsed a plan to restrict outdoor smoking in city parks.

The report, which had already been endorsed by Toronto’s Board of Health, is part of a comprehensive plan to restrict smoking in outdoor locations in the same way legislation currently restricts smoking in bars and restaurants.

The more controversial elements of the policy are going forward either slowly or through requests to other levels of government.

The proposed smoking ban in city parks – which would prevent smokers from lighting up within nine metres of an amenity – went through the parks committee easily.

“I don’t want to kiss an ashtray and I don’t want to play in one either,” said committee chair Giorgio Mammoliti, who supported the matter.

In the past, Mammoliti has been more skeptical about smoking bans. In the 1990s prior to amalgamation, Mammoliti led the charge to overturn a smoking ban in bars and restaurants in the former municipality of North York.

But at the committee, he said the argument for going slow on anti-smoking measures is out of date.

“There was a time when some of us who’ve been around a long time recognized there was an argument economically,” said Mammoliti. “But that was when the other municipalities weren’t banning smoking and Toronto wanted to set an example.”

Deputations to the committee all agreed smoking in parks was bad for the health of parks users and also, at sports fields, set a bad example for young people.

“Smoking on the sidelines does not mix with a quality sports experience,” said Jeff Carmichael of the Toronto Sports Council.

He said his organization supported the ban, noting most sporting events ban smoking in city parks already. A ban, he said, would make the behaviour easier to enforce.

Beaches-East York Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon called the decision “a no-brainer health-wise.”

The ban would also make it unlawful to smoke at public beaches, as well as within nine metres of sporting field, shelters and picnic areas.

The matter will go to Toronto Council in November.