The Evolution of Smoke-Free Hospital Properties

In recent years there has been an increasing number of bylaws regulating smoke-free outdoor spaces throughout Canada and especially in Ontario. Most of these prohibit smoking on municipal property, in parks, playgrounds and sports and recreational fields. Some municipalities prohibit smoking on restaurant and bar patios, which had become “the smoking section” once smoking was banned inside these establishments. Additional trends include governments starting to regulate smoking on private property, including in vehicles where children are present. Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, smoking is also prohibited at all times in private homes that operate as licensed daycares, and in private homes when home health care workers are present.