Burning questions

Should the city ban smoking in all outdoor recreational areas?

That's the proposal on the table at this morning's board of health meeting. The public health department says most Hamilton residents are in favour of banning or regulating smoking at municipal parks, playgrounds, outdoor pools and beaches.

But two councillors who smoke say the proposed bylaw goes too far.

Here's an excerpt from today's story:

City councillor Sam Merulla, who smokes, said he supports a pilot project for new rules, but smokers may end up feeling alienated. The real question, he said, is whether governments should keep tobacco legal.

"They're cheering revenue they get from taxes, (but) limit use within the community. It's the mother of all hypocrisy," he said. "They can't continue targeting it as if it's a pariah."

Councillor and smoker Scott Duvall said he supports a smoking ban in children's areas only.

"Playground areas I agree with, but other than that I think we're stepping on someone's toes."

(FYI - Terry Whitehead is also a smoker, but didn't comment for this article).

What do you think about the proposed ban on smoking in outdoor areas? Is it too much? Too little? Just right?

Comments

[Markalanwhittle]

Just enjoying a legal, store bought cigarette ($55 per carton, taxes in at the local variety store) while reading your post and todays column on the wireless Laptop out back on my cedar deck.

What a beautiful day too.

No smoking in my house, he-he. Sam does have a point.

More shocking than that is the amount of il-legal reserve smokes (70%) showing up in smoking area ash-trays near high schools.

If city hall wants' to ban a legal product from being consumed around children and other non-smokers, I don't have a problem with it, but it's a slippery slope.

That's Hamilton, get used to it.

[steve]

I use to smoke i quit many years ago,and i wont go back to it,but what of the people who do smoke,do we leave them at home because they want to smoke on the beach and cant ?I'm sure if someone is smoking on a beach or in a park they are very carefull as to not interfere with any one elses space.

[Kathy Hagan]

I totally support a ban on smoking in parks and around children's areas. I detest cigarette smoke and firmly believe second and third hand smoke is harmful. That said smokers too have rights, they are smoking a highly taxed and legal product and so bans on smoking should take their rights into consideration or cease selling tobacco.

[Tom Robertson]

I admit to being a smoker and totally agree with banning smoking around children's areas of parks. This bylaw will just keep 23% of people sitting at home rather than going out to areas like the waterfront we want to develop. What effect will this bylaw have on the Bulldogs and Ticats when the smokers stay home to watch the games on TV drinking their own beer and eating their own food when the smoking areas at these venues are banned. Is this bylaw being driven by the anti smoking lobbyists. Where was Dr. Mackie and Council while another bird breeding season has gone by with no program to reduce the populations of geese,seagulls and pigeons that are serious polluters of local waters, parks and the downtown core. Would this be that they are afraid to upset PETA and the other animal loving interest groups despite the fact of the health issues caused. Maybe the two journalists who wrote this story will go back to Dr. Mackie to find out what action plan The Medical Doctors of Health will be putting forward to deal with this issue.

[Dan Jelly]

Well as long as we're talking about banning smoking in outdoor areas of Hamilton, let's please add bus stops to that list (yes stops, not just shelters).

If bus riders (children included) have to stand in a designated spot to wait for the bus then there should be no smoking allowed within a certain distance.

I love how it's ok to spew carcinogens at a bus stop, but if you pull out a banjo and start playing it you get a ticket for busking.

[electronic cigarette]

what if i smoke a electronic cigarette ? Will they ban those too ? And Dan Jelly has a really good point. TO be honest i would ban smoking everywhere - make it illegal. Buthan ( a small state in Asia) has this law, and the punish is jail for this one !