No excuse for keeping smoking on patios

Re: Recent letters addressing proposed anti-smoking bylaw.

I, for one, could never enjoy myself while being exposed on the patio of a restaurant while a smoker is nearby for quite a few reasons.

For one thing, I cannot enjoy eating in the patio because of cross-contamination on foods and smoking exposure. Secondly, the smell of smoking objects is very disgusting. I could never once in my life deal with the smell of it, whether it’s cigarettes or cigars or illegal drugs.

Lastly, it is ruining our health, and it’s costing our government tons of money for health care.

Yes, we have to deal with the smoke stack, but there isn’t much the city can do about it. Vale itself is working on it, and by 2016-2017 the air coming out of the stack will be even cleaner. In 10 years, it’ll be 80 per cent better.

As for the anti-idling bylaw, I’m all for it as well, even though I’ve taken public transit my entire life and always intend to do so. It’s a bylaw that’s well worthwhile.

Our city is working on becoming more environmentally and human-friendly with one step at a time.

As for the trees along Young Street and in Memorial Park that smell like perfume, I do agree with the fact that the city should be taking them down, as I am not too fussy about the smell.

As for this whole thing of everyone believing that we are violating smokers’ rights, you don’t realize that it goes both ways, as right now, non-smokers’ rights are violated.

It’s just a matter of time before every restaurant patio and public park in Europe and North America will have restricted smoking.

One example: Starbucks announced last month it will not allow its customers to smoke on their patio area. If they are caught doing so, they’ll be asked to leave, and if they choose not to, then a fine will be given.

Years ago, smokers were allowed to smoke in bars. Everyone assumed the new law was going to hurt business. Yet we still have the same old bars open for business.

Basically, if this new bylaw goes through, then I am all for it, as I would then be able to enjoy life with ease not only in public parks and municipally owned property, but also patios.

Charles Tossell
Greater Sudbury