Toronto is currently engaged in yet another assault on tobacco and those who use it. The city, through its board of health, is discussing a proposal to ban smoking in public areas, which include sports fields, patios attached to restaurants and bars, areas outside buildings where smokers huddle and (duh!) hospital grounds. By far, the largest outcry has arisen over the proposed patio ban.

Users have their arguments. And, indeed, they can sound pretty reasonable. While tobacco may be an irritating but occasional inconvenience for non-smokers, it’s a clear source of temporary comfort for the afflicted. If you unavoidably inhale a little of those grey wisps as you pass a smoker on the sidewalk or have to move your seat when positioned beside a puffer at an outdoor restaurant patio, what of it? Living in groups (like cities) involves a certain amount of inconvenience along with the benefits. Individual liberties should be constrained as little as possible to achieve desirable social ends. And a no-smoking rule for patios is likely to cut into the business of the patio owners.

Of course, there is quite a bit of information on the negative side.

Here’s some of the latest from Health Canada and the Lung Association. During pregnancy, second-hand smoke can lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and exposure of the unborn baby to toxic chemicals. (There are at least 70 known carcinogens in second-hand smoke.)

Children are especially susceptible to the dangers of second-hand smoke because they breathe faster, their immune systems are less developed and, perhaps worst of all, they generally don’t have any say in the matter. When Mom or Dad smokes in the house or the car or on a restaurant patio during a family outing – or anywhere else the kids are forced to be – there’s nowhere to go. And the complaints department generally isn’t listening.

Children exposed to second-hand smoke display much higher rates of: asthma (75% increase); ear infections; reduced lung capacity; respiratory-tract infections; lower test scores in math, reading and logic; taking up smoking themselves.

Then, there’s cancer. The increase in risk of childhood cancers for children exposed to second-hand smoke is 200%. Adults exposed to second-hand smoke as children, including the bevy of toxic particles that end up embedded in carpets, upholstery and other household surfaces, are at significantly higher risk for cancer as adults.

When Toronto was discussing a ban on smoking inside bars and restaurants a few years ago, there was a powerful outcry from these businesses. And it seemed that their traffic could be drastically reduced. But after the bylaw went into force, nothing much happened. Popular bars and restaurants remained popular, and the smokers took it outside.

Unlike many vices, the physical ravages of smoking often are imposed on those who do not partake – particularly the most vulnerable, who may have no choice except to “suck it up.”

Just ban it.

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