The Grey-Bruce Smoke Free Public Spaces by-law remains a work in progress.
Proposed amendments to the controversial by-law were discussed at last week’s Grey Bruce Public Health Unit board meeting.
Our Medical Officer of Health, Doctor Hazel Lynn says it will be a two-year process as the Health Unit gathers input from all 17 municipal councils in the two counties.
Doctor Lynn says they first need to educate people about the proposed smoking ban at public parks, sports fields, pools, arenas and community gatherings.
She tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they want the by-law to be controlled by the upper tier of government, rather than on a municipal level.
Doctor Lynn notes she and Program Manager Angela Newman will make presentations to all 17 municipal councils to get the discussions rolling.
The proposed by-law has come under fire from people who say it is their right to smoke outdoors while others claim it would be difficult to enforce.
Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer says another issue is the proposed ban on smoking on outdoor patio’s at restaurants.
Kraemer feels business owners in Kincardine wouldn’t be very receptive to the new law as he says many have already lost money to accommodate the move to smoke free indoor restaurants back in 2002.
