Proposal for smoking and non-smoking patio areas

The Quebec Bar Owners Association has said that a proposed ban on smoking on bar and restaurant patios would be too restrictive and would not have any effect on public health, according to a Canadian Television report.

Public consultations are currently underway in respect of Quebec’s proposed anti-tobacco legislation, Bill 44, which includes provisions for a number of bans and restrictions.

The association, which has conducted tests of second-hand smoke levels at outdoor locations, said that its results showed no significant trace of tobacco smoke just 150 cm away from a person smoking.

Their research suggested that car exhaust was more harmful to a person’s health than was second-hand smoke.

Peter Sergakis of the bar owners’ group said that smokers spent more money than non-smokers did while in bars and restaurants; so establishments lost money when smoking was banned indoors in 2006, a loss that they never recovered.

He expects a further loss of business of 10-15 percent if smoking on patios is banned.

Sergakis has proposed that instead of banning smoking outright, Quebec should create smoking and non-smoking zones for people eating and drinking outdoors.