Winnipeg one step closer to patio smoking ban

Winnipeg city councillors havevoted in favour of asking the Manitoba government to ban smoking on outdoor patios, but one of the councillors behind the idea warns thatit will likely bea whilebefore patios are smoke-free.

A motion by Coun. Dan Vandal calls on the city to ask the Manitoba government to "examine the possibility of extending the locations outlined in The Non-Smokers Health Protection Act" to include outdoor patios that are accessible to the public.

• Manitobans want more smoke-free outdoor public places

"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," said Vandal, whose motion was seconded by Coun. Paula Havixbeck.

Councillors voted 14-2 in favour of the motion on Wednesday afternoon.

Vandal said he does notexpect a patio smoking ban to be implemented quickly, as the provincial government did not support the city's indoor smoking ban in the beginning.

"We know the province is not going to support anything unless the city takes the lead on it and does the heavy lifting," he said.