City hall poised to take first step toward extinguishing patio smoking

City hall plans to take the first steps toward a patio smoking ban that could be enacted next year.

Point Douglas Coun. Mike Pagtakhan(Point Douglas) said Wednesday he plans to bring a patio-smoking motionto the June 12 meeting of council's protection, community services and parks committee.

The intent is to ask city staff to determine what form of consultations must take place and what research must be conducted before the city considers a bylaw amendment that would outlaw smoking on restaurant patios, said Pagtakhan, who chairs the protection committee and is leaning towardsupport fora patio-smoking ban.

The City of Regina is poised to ban patio smoking this July, leaving Winnipeg as the last large urban centre to allow people to puff in public places outdoors.

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Regina's pending ban prompted several Winnipeg city councillors to consider following suit. Property chair John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) said the city must hold some sort of public hearing before a ban could proceed.

In 2003, Winnipeg became one of the first Canadian cities to ban smoking indoors. It expanded that ban to some outdoor spaces in 2011 and then asked the province to consider a patio smoking ban in 2014.

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Pagtakhan said if the city does pursue a patio-smoking ban, there will be an exemption to ensure no spiritual practicessuch as the ceremonial use of tobaccoare inadvertently affected.