I suppose I should state my bias up front; smoking is bad for the smoker and for those around them.

I’ve been at the bedside and have seen dear family and friends painfully struggle to draw their final breaths as they succumb to cardio pulmonary diseases.

Death by cancer is ugly and horrific.

That’s one of the reasons I support City Council’s plan to ban smoking in open air facilities.

Little kids on playgrounds should not be exposed to second hand smoke.

Smoking makes those parents and those kids more sick, more often, and yes, it is one of the major  factors that drives up the cost of health care.

We’ve done a lot to curtail emissions from vehicles and industry but we don’t do enough to curtail emissions from smokers.

Enforcement is done on a complaint basis and amazingly enough, the compliance level is extremely high.

Even at Ivor Wynne Stadium, there are still a few inconsiderate jerks who light up under the stands, but the vast majority of smokers are considerate and compliant.

Some Councilors want to modify   the list where the ban would apply and I suppose that’s to be expected.

But, please , don’t gut the bylaw.

Stay the course Council; it’s the right thing to do.