Georgina
December 19, 2007 04:30 PM
Second time council has refused to look into smoking issue
By: John Slykhuis
A proposed provincial smoking ban in cars didn’t win council support at its Monday meeting despite Mayor Rob Grossi’s urging.
Council members voted to receive correspondence from Ontario Medical Association president Janice Willett to Mr. Grossi asking for his support as well as a resolution from council.
Council turned down a similar request last month from York Region asking support of a provincewide ban of smoking in cars with chld passengers, citing doubts it could be enforced.
This time around, Mr. Grossi requested the earlier decision to not support the region’s request be reconsidered, but that also got the thumbs down.
He asked council to endorse a similar request from the medical association.
Receiving the letter affirms council’s first rejection last month, Mr. Grossi said.
“I think we need to take a stand on this ... people who smoke in the confines of their car are putting their children in danger,” he said.
He didn’t win the argument and the letter was received with no further comment.
Former councillor and anti-smoking activist John Hastings wrote council, saying it was his “fervent hope” they support the OMA request.
“As was proven in Georgina when the no smoking bylaw first became law, the majority of people are law-abiding and would comply with the ban,” he said. “When it comes to sucking and blowing, Georgina council appears to be experts. They agree to suck water from the depths of our money pit, known as the Grossi Knoll, but would not support a provincial initiative that would help prevent the blowing of smoke into the lungs of children while being transported in vehicles.”
The mayor was the exception on the smoking issue and was agreeable to council reconsidering a previous decision not to support such a ban, he added.
“Does this mean they would not object if their children and/or grandchildren were on a bus trip with six persons who smoked throughout the journey? Whatever happened to “safety” Councillor Ken Hackenbrook?” Mr. Hastings said.
A ban is “pretty invasive” because cars are personal space, but smoking in them with children inside is “reprehensible” and the province should debate whether the habit should be outlawed, Premier Dalton McGuinty said.
Liberal MPP David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie) has introduced a private member’s bill to ban smoking in automobiles with children under 16.
Banning smoking in cars with children is not in the Liberal platform and Mr. McGuinty ruled out the idea just a few months ago, but last week said he’s looking forward to the debate on the bill, which will help people understand the danger of smoking.
Health experts say exposing a child to an hour of smoke in a car is similar to giving them an entire pack of cigarettes.
Second-hand smoke has been linked to health problems such as ear infections and lung cancer.
A recent Ipsos-Reid poll found the majority of Ontarians were in favour of a ban, including 66 per cent of smokers surveyed.