Smoking ban opponent wants choice for business

More public places are closer to being smoke-free in Ottawa after a city committee approved potential bylaw changes Wednesday. The city's community and protective services committee voted in favour of expanding the smoking ban to patios, parks, beaches and farmer's markets. The bylaw's opponents said when it comes to regulating businesses, they want government to stay away.

"Has the pendulum swung too far? We're advocating for the ability for business to practice free enterprise," said Alex Lewis, executive director of the Bell's Corners BIA. "They should have the ability to decide what's right for their business." Lewis said he wants businesses to have the option to ban smoking. "There's a difference between government regulation and government management; government management would indicate that when government comes into a business, they would ask that if their food has nuts in it they would put a sign up that says ‘some of our food may have nuts,'" he said.

"It becomes government regulation when the government comes in and says you aren't allowed to sell anything with nuts in it." The Ottawa Board of Health first made the recommendation, with a 2011 survey showing over 70 per cent support from Ottawa residents for the changes. Lewis said he's not against stop-smoking initiatives, but wants businesses to have a choice. "There's no doubt in our line of business that the world would be a lot better place if people would butt out," he said. "The world would also be a lot better place if government would realize some boundaries in regards to private property owners." The proposed bylaw changes will now go to city council.