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Recommendation: That
the Managing Director, Parks and Recreation, BE DIRECTED to bring
forward a draft by-law for introduction at a future Municipal
Council meeting with respect to smoking restrictions in municipal outdoor
spaces to:
a)
prohibit smoking within 9 metres (30 feet) of playgrounds
and recreation amenities in municipal parks; and
b)
prohibit smoking within 9 metres (30 feet) of an entrance to a
municipally-owned building;
it being noted the Community Services
Committee reviewed and received communications from the following
individuals/organizations in support of outdoor smoking restrictions:
·
Jenna
Challenger, 158 Broughdale Ave.;
·
Gemma
Urbani;
·
Sharon
Whiteside, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada;
·
Dominique
Bruce, Canadian Cancer Society, Smokers’ Helpline;
·
Haylee
White, 158 Broughdale Ave.;
·
Reem
Gray; and,
·
Heather
Gillespie & Travis Wintjes;
And the following
individual/organization opposing outdoor smoking restrictions:
·
Rick
Pettit, Lambeth Harvestfest
it being pointed out that at the public
participation meeting associated
with this matter, the following individuals made oral submissions in
connection therewith:
·
Johnathon
Bullick, Member – Scent-Free London – providing an explanation of what
chemical sensitivities are, that is an environmental illness; noting that
this can affect an individual’s ability to travel, socialize, participate in recreation,
etc.; describing an outdoor smoking ban as protection and as a matter of
accessibility; noting multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is impacted by
smoking and that smoking is a mode of giving chemicals to individuals, and
making them addicted and requesting the Committee to support the rights of
non-smokers.
·
Stephanie
Dorman, PhD candidate and volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society – noting
support for a ban of smoking in outdoor public spaces and entrance ways and
outlining her submission as included on the October 1, 2012 Community
Services Committee agenda.
·
Linda
Stobo, Manager of Chronic Disease Prevention and Tobacco Control, Middlesex
London Health Unit – providing the attached presentation and
indicating support for a ban on smoking in outdoor public spaces.
·
Margaret
Mitchell, London Public Library – presenting information as included on the
Community Services Committee Added Agenda, including a request to petition
other levels of government related to the fundamental problem of smoking on
the sidewalk outside the Central Library as it is considered a “highway”
under the Highway Traffic Act, and therefore by-laws cannot be applied
to restrict smoking there.
·
Kimberly
Cairns – noting that she is addressing the Committee, in order to give
children a voice and noting that Canadians are afforded choice whether to
smoke or not; suggesting that if someone was to offer a child a cigarette, it
would not be tolerated and noting support for the proposed restrictions.
·
Michael
Lewis – noting his opposition to some of the more severe options proposed,
and suggesting that the Smoke-free Ontario Act goes far enough to
limit smoking opportunities and the current legislation is adequate; noting
that data on second-hand smoke outdoors is not proven and noting that of the
444 municipalities in Ontario, only 13 have full outdoor bans; noting that
some studies have indicated obesity is far more of a health issue than
smoking, and unhealthy foods are actually encouraged at festivals and
suggesting that the 9m restriction does very little to protect people from
smoke and/or exhaust from vehicles.
·
Gwyneth
Doty, 18 Lyndhurst Avenue – noting that she is a non-smoker, but does not
agree with any further restrictions being proposed; suggesting Council wastes
too much time and money on debate of non-issues and that smokers are tax
payers also and that these proposals are not democratic; indicating that everyone
has rights, not just non-smokers, smoking isn't the only ailment in society
and that Council should focus on other issues.
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