Local Bylaws Designate Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces

A growing number of communities are passing local bylaws to prohibit or severely restrict smoking in and around playing fields, playground equipment, parks, and beaches. These bylaws have powerful prevention implications that will help keep youth from becoming tobacco users.

Positive Role Modeling - Kids are great imitators. Positive role modeling cannot be underestimated as a deterrent that will help children choose to be tobacco free and by banning smoking in these settings it sends a clear message that smoking is not an acceptable behaviour.

Clearing the Air - There is indisputable scientific evidence that secondhand smoke is hazardous to everyone who breathes it. Walking through a group of people smoking outside of a public facility or sitting next to people smoking at the beach or on a park bench exposes residents to secondhand smoke. Research also continues to grow showing that outdoor tobacco smoke is hazardous at greater distances. A 2007 study undertaken in California found tobacco smoke levels could be detected at downwind positions greater than or equal to four meters from a single active cigarette. As the number of active cigarettes increase so does the distance at which the smoke is detectable.[1]

Local Bylaws - The following local councils in Simcoe Muskoka have passed No Smoking bylaws for outdoor spaces. Click on the municipality to review the details of the bylaws:

• City of Barrie - No smoking on any owned property including parks, playing fields, beaches, and municipal building properties, except in designated areas in some parking lots. (2009)
• City of Orillia - No smoking within 10 meters of a beach area, playground area or a sports activity area except during special events approved by the Parks and Recreation Department. (2008)
• Clearview Township - No smoking on or within 9 meters of playgrounds, playing fields, municipal building entrances, and at any municipal park when there is entertainment. (2009)
• Town of Collingwood - No smoking within 25 meters of all playgrounds and playing fields or within nine (9) metres of any entrance or exit of any municipally owned or operated facility.
• Town of Wasaga Beach - No smoking within 9 meters of playground areas, playing fields, and entrances to municipal buildings. (2008)
• Town of New Tecumseth - No smoking within 10 meters in a playground area defined as an outdoor area established and fitted with equipment such as slides, swings, etc. (2002). Amended to include seated areas at outdoor sports fields in 2007.
• Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury - Smoking is prohibited within 5 meters of the entrances or exits to any municipally owned or operated facilities including such places as arenas and recreation facilities. (2009)
• Town of Innisfil - Smoking is prohibited within 9 meters of the entrances or exits of all municipal facilities such as arenas and libraries. (2009)
• Town of Midland - Bylaw prohibits smoking outdoors within 10 metres of municipally owned playgrounds or sports fields. (2009)
• Town of Huntsville - Bylaw prohibits smoking outdoors on any property owned or occupied by the town including parkland, playgrounds, sports fields, spectator seating areas, and ice surfaces. (2010)
• Township of Adjala-Tosorontio - Smoking is prohibited in and around the places children play including parks, play grounds, and playing fields. (2009)
• Township of Essa - Smoking is prohibited outdoors on all township-owned lands including parks, playing fields, and the places families play, live, work, and gather. (2011)