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Smoking on Outdoor Patios at Restaurants and Bars By-law Review
An administrative report outlining the results of the public engagement process and the jurisdictional scan, as well as recommendations for moving forward with regulating smoking on outdoor patios was approved by Council on January 25, 2018.
The City of Winnipeg (the City) has reviewed the Outdoor Smoking By-law. An administrative report outlining the corresponding amendments to the By-law was discussed at the March 6 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks, and was approved by Council on March 22.
More information on the amended Outdoor Smoking By-law.
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Engage
The Public Engagement Summary and full Public Engagement Report are now available and provide a summary of the public engagement process undertaken and the feedback collected for the review.
If you have any questions, please contact 311.
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Background
Smoking inside restaurants and bars has been banned in the Province of Manitoba since 2003.
The current Outdoor Smoking By-law is the result of public feedback and the City’s commitment to the promotion of a healthy urban environment and support for active living and wellness. Smoking outdoors is currently banned in several places in accordance with the Outdoor Smoking By-law (2011), including:
30 metres from:
- Athletic fields and outdoor ice rinks (during an organized youth event) - including all City of Winnipeg or community centre owned or operated soccer pitches, baseball or softball diamonds, football fields and outdoor hockey rinks
- All swimming pools, wading pools, spray pads and spray parks owned and operated by the City of Winnipeg or a community centre
At all times on:
- All playgrounds
- School properties, including all public and private elementary, middle and secondary schools
- Health care facility properties, including all hospitals, personal care homes, Access Centres, Breast Health Centre, Winnipeg Birth Centre, Clinic, Mount Carmel Clinic and Pan Am Clinic (residents of personal care homes are permitted to smoke in clearly marked, designated smoking area)
8 metres from outdoor entrance ways to:
- Health care facilities
- City of Winnipeg workplaces
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority workplaces
Smoking on outdoor patios at bars and restaurants in Winnipeg is currently permitted. On June 12, 2017, the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services, and Parks directed the Winnipeg Public Service to:
- Review practices in other Canadian municipalities to regulate smoking on outdoor patios at bars and restaurants, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, water pipes, hookahs, and other similar products/devices that produce second hand smoke
- Conduct public engagement to gather input on changes to smoking on outdoor patios at bars and restaurants
Once the review and public engagement is complete, recommendations on how to move forward with regulating smoking on outdoor patios will be presented.
Documents
| Document Name | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Public Engagement Summary | 2018-01-03 | Report |
| Public Engagement Report | 2018-01-03 | Report |
| Administrative Report | 2018-03-06 | Report |
| Street Team Postcard | 2018-01-03 | Invitation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did the City conduct this review?
A: Tobacco smoke is a known Class A carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure and scientific studies confirm that negative health consequences, including an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, can result from even short exposures. The current Outdoor Smoking By-law is the result of public feedback and the City’s commitment to the promotion of a healthy urban environment and support for active living and wellness.
At its June 12, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services, and Parks directed the Winnipeg Public Service to:
- Conduct a cross-jurisdictional review of Canadian municipalities and other Canadian regulatory agencies and/or legislations on prohibitions related to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, water pipes, hookahs, and other similar products/devices that generate second hand smoke on outdoor patios at restaurants and bars.
- Through the Office of Public Engagement, conduct consultation with the public and stakeholders to determine the level of interest in changing the Outdoor Smoking By-law No. 62/2011 as applicable to smoking on outdoor patios at bars and restaurants.
- Provide appropriate recommendations based on the information obtained in its review and feedback provided through public consultation and report back to the appropriate committee of Council within 180 days.
On January 25, 2018, Council approved the resulting administrative report.
Q: When will this ban go into effect?
A: The changes to the Outdoor Smoking By-law will come into affect April 1, 2018.
Q: Does outdoor smoke affect health?
A: Second-hand smoke contains harmful chemicals, some of which are cancer-causing, for which there is no safe level of exposure. Even outdoors, people exposed to second hand smoke will be exposed to these chemicals.
Q: How will outdoor smoke-free regulations be enforced?
A: The City’s Community By-law Enforcement Services team will work with business owners to ensure successful implementation of these changes, and can assist through enforcement actions where necessary.
Q: Tobacco is an important part of traditional Aboriginal spiritual, cultural practices and ceremonies for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. Will these important observances be impacted?
A: Culturally-significant activities involving tobacco will not be impacted, where they are carried out as part of an Indigenous-led cultural ceremony.
Last update:
April 19, 2023