Smoke-free housing now on Toronto Board of Health’s radar

On September 30th, the Toronto Board of Health received a report from Medical Officer of Health Dr. McKeown entitled “Smoke-Free Toronto: Strengthening Protection.”

The report recommends broadening protection from second-hand smoke (SHS) in the City of Toronto to include such outdoor spaces as 9 m from all public entranceways, as well as a ban on smoking in outdoor public squares.

The Board of Health also supported making the following outdoor spaces smoke-free:

• Outdoor sports fields and parks amenities;
• swimming beaches;
• public parklets;
• bar and restaurant patios; and
• hospital grounds.

All of this is good news, but what is particularly encouraging is point #6 of the report: the Board would like Dr. McKeown to “report on options to promote smoke-free housing.”

We’ll be monitoring this issue, and providing support where needed.

If you live in the City of Toronto and are experiencing exposure to SHS in your own home from a neighbouring unit, contact Toronto Public Health and register your complaint.

Call 3-1-1 or email [email protected].

Read the minutes of the Board of Health meeting from September 30th, 2013.