Beware, political topic somewhat

[Gigglesngrins 0]

Okay, so this totally going to spark some big discussion but I am fuming!! (literally and figuratively) I want to know when Canada, more specifically Ontario, forgot that we are supposed to be a free country. I am speaking of the new law that Ontario passed and came into effect today. The smoking ban in Ontario has gotten to the point of being utterly ridiculous. Even though I am a smoker, if I was not I would still think this is plain controlling....the fact that Ontarians no longer have a choice on how to live their lives is just beyond all my beliefs of what Canada is. I fully support and understand the laws that we had previously but not being able to smoke under an umbrella or on any patio? WHAT THE HELL IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING? What will they think of next....you will no longer be able to eat what you want, wear what you want, if you have tattoos you will have to cover them? This is ridiculous!

[hockeygal 0]

well, as a non-smoker, I can say that I find sitting on patios quite unbearable as they have become the place for smokers and the smoke is thick. You would think because it is outside, the smoke would not be noticeable, but it is.

Sorry, I am kinda ok with this law!

And I will take it one step further... if smokers don't stop using the streets as their ashtray, ban them from smoking in the street too. I am frankly tired of cigarette buts all over the place. Do smokers not think their cigarettes are garbage? They are! And cars have ashtrays for cigarettes, but I am constantly seeing smokers tossing them out their car window.

Hey, you wanted to start a bitchfest.

[Cygnet 0]

well, as a non-smoker, I can say that I find sitting on patios quite unbearable as they have become the place for smokers and the smoke is thick. You would think because it is outside, the smoke would not be noticeable, but it is.

Sorry, I am kinda ok with this law!

And I will take it one step further... if smokers don't stop using the streets as their ashtray, ban them from smoking in the street too. I am frankly tired of cigarette buts all over the place. Do smokers not think their cigarettes are garbage? They are! And cars have ashtrays for cigarettes, but I am constantly seeing smokers tossing them out their car window.

I agree.

I've also seen a lot of smokers in enclosed bus stop/sheds where there are signs that clearly says "no smoking". The shed fills up quickly with smoke and can become quite unbearable.

By the way, Quebec has the smoking ban, too. And it also started today.

[Jenn! 918]

Okay, so this totally going to spark some big discussion but I am fuming!! (literally and figuratively) I want to know when Canada, more specifically Ontario, forgot that we are supposed to be a free country. I am speaking of the new law that Ontario passed and came into effect today. The smoking ban in Ontario has gotten to the point of being utterly ridiculous. Even though I am a smoker, if I was not I would still think this is plain controlling....the fact that Ontarians no longer have a choice on how to live their lives is just beyond all my beliefs of what Canada is. I fully support and understand the laws that we had previously but not being able to smoke under an umbrella or on any patio? WHAT THE HELL IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING? What will they think of next....you will no longer be able to eat what you want, wear what you want, if you have tattoos you will have to cover them? This is ridiculous!

I know very few non-smokers who are against these sorts of regulations. I have a feeling you might think differently if you didn't smoke.

Don't get me wrong, I am totally with you on this one. But of course, I am a smoker.

By the way, you're planning to move to the U.S., right? Good luck finding a place to smoke in public. And if you do find a place, get ready for lots of glares and "tsk"s directed at you.

[no one 0]

Also a non-smoker here...

I'm VERY GRATEFUL for this law as I have mild asthma and cigarette smoke is many times more hazardous for me (and for tons of others who have asthma).

You have every "right" to smoke -- but when you're smoking in a public space, you're taking away everyone else's rights to good health and fresh air.

I have nothing against smokers. In fact, I have friends and relatives who smoke, but I always move away as far as possible as soon as they light up.

[Gigglesngrins 0]

It's not that I don't agree with the littering issue and such. I do agree...it's not right for smokers to just throw their butts on the ground. It's also not right for coffee drinkers to throw Timmy's cups on the sidewalk. Or gum chewers to throw their gum on the ground. And it isn't right for smokers to smoke in bus shelters or other enclosures where it is clearly marked that they are not to smoke. I had quit smoking for four years before and I totally understand and out of every smoker I know, I was the only one who agreed with the original ban where you were no longer able to smoke in public places. Make us go outside where we are not forcing people to inhale our smoke...or at least where they do have a choice as well. My point is more now that we don't have a choice anymore. We can not smoke anywhere anymore. What's next? I can't smoke in my own car? Or my own home? It's a matter of having the choice. So soon, tabacco companies will be out of business....and where I live, Imperial Tabacco already is...there are so many people out of work now. Not that I am condoning smoking...I am planning to quit myself. But if you are banning smoking....why not ban drinking? Thousands and thousands of people each year are killed in alcohol related accidents or diseases related to drinking. And what about every other unhealthy choice we can make? McDonald's, BK, Wendy's...all of the junk food we can buy help contribute to the massive problem North America has with obesity.

Courtesy is one thing, and I agree many smokers need to have more of that, but removing rights is another.

Btw...no harm no foul....just a debate...Canucks will always be united

[SENKA 0]

I am a non smoker, and it doesn't bother me if people smoke on the patio or elsewhere outside. Try living in Europe where I grew up, everyone smokes everywhere, even in the office. That really bothers me.

[Cristy 4]

I work for an American company serving Americans. This guy called in one day to get a room purifier because one of his employees smokes. I told him to tell the guy to go outside...he laughed. I told him here we can't smoke in any building and he thought I was kidding.

I smoke but I don't mind going outside for the most part. It bothers me when they ban it outside...####### it is outside.

[Jenn! 918]

I was the only one who agreed with the original ban where you were no longer able to smoke in public places. Make us go outside where we are not forcing people to inhale our smoke...or at least where they do have a choice as well. My point is more now that we don't have a choice anymore. We can not smoke anywhere anymore. What's next? I can't smoke in my own car? Or my own home? It's a matter of having the choice.

Not knowing the specifics of the law you were talking about in your original post, I just thought it was a law banning smoking in public places. They've made cigarettes illegal? Tell me more.

Edited June 1, 2006 by jenn3539

[Gigglesngrins 0]

Easier than explaining it....I will post you the law as of 12:01 this morning. It is confusing as heck though.

Smoke Free Ontario Act

Here's what the law mandates:

Bans smoking in enclosed public places and all enclosed workplaces, including restaurants, bars, schools, private clubs, sports arenas, work vehicles, offices and entertainment venues, including casinos, bingo halls, bowling and billiard establishments.

Eliminates designated smoking rooms in restaurants and bars.

Permits residential care facilities to operate controlled smoking areas which are specially designed to ensure nobody outside the room is exposed to second-hand smoke. The law stipulates who may enter the area and under what conditions, as well as requirements for engineering design, function and maintenance of the areas.

Protects home health care workers from second-hand smoke when offering services in private residences.

Prohibits smoking on patios that have food and beverage service if they're either partially or completely covered by a roof. (A roof includes an awning, tarp, canvas sheeting or other permanent or temporary covering capable of excluding rain or impeding airflow, or both. A stand-alone umbrella covering a single table isn't considered a roof. But if umbrellas are used to serve as a roof, an inspector may view it as such and act accordingly.)

Toughens the rules prohibiting tobacco sales to minors.

Prevents the promotion of tobacco products in entertainment venues.

Prohibits smoking in motels, hotels or inns, expect in rooms designated as guest smoking rooms.

Prohibits smoking in common areas of condominiums, apartment buildings and college and university residences. Examples of common areas include elevators, stairwells, hallways, parking garages, laundry facilities, lobbies, exercise areas and party or entertainment rooms.

Prohibits smoking in public schools, private schools and on public or private school property.

Bars smoking within a nine metre radius of any entrance or exit of a hospital. (A hospital may choose to provide a smoking shelter outdoors, but must ensure the structure consists of no more than two walls and a roof.)

Immediately restricts the retail promotion of tobacco products and imposes a complete ban on the display of tobacco products by May 31, 2008.

[no one 0]

I'm confused as to what part is confusing... It is a ban on smoking in public, shared spaces. It does not make the products illegal, but restricts the promotion of them...

[Jenn! 918]

Sorry I was confused. I saw "I can't smoke in my own car? Or my own home?", and missed the "What's next?" before it.

The law is as I had originally thought.

[girl 37 7]

Prohibits smoking on patios that have food and beverage service if they're either partially or completely covered by a roof. (A roof includes an awning, tarp, canvas sheeting or other permanent or temporary covering capable of excluding rain or impeding airflow, or both. A stand-alone umbrella covering a single table isn't considered a roof. But if umbrellas are used to serve as a roof, an inspector may view it as such and act accordingly.)

I'm happy about this. I used to like sitting outdoors at restaurants & cafes in BC in spring / summer / fall but can't anymore because it's where the smokers congregate (and I have asthma).

There's still LOTS of smoking in public places in TN, where I'm moving to. It's like they're 10 years behind the times.

Edited June 1, 2006 by girl 37

[bctoboston11 0]

I have to echo the "just wait until you get to the U.S." sentiment.

A huge amount of states have banned smoking in public places... california pretty much has banned smoking everywhere but in your home and car... the entire northeast has pretty much banned any kind of indoor public smoking.

I'm a non-smoker who grew up with a father who always smoked... I'm also asthmatic.

I appeciate that I can now go to a bar or restaurant, and not come out smelling like smoke, that my dry-cleaning bills are lower because I don't have to bring my coat in every time I go out on a weekend.

The laws in the states also have a ton to do with the workforce in places where smoke was at one time, predominent. A lot of non-smoking workers were getting sick from the second-hand smoke... thus sending insurance liabilities through the roof.

All this said, I have no issue with someone smoking outside... that's their business.

Just some thoughts :-)

[Reba 2]

And what about every other unhealthy choice we can make? McDonald's, BK, Wendy's...all of the junk food we can buy help contribute to the massive problem North America has with obesity.

because when you're sitting in McDonald's or Wendy's eating a burger and fries, the person sitting at the table next isn't breathing in your second hand noxious fumes from it