By Laurie Watt 

Barrie council is doing more to stop smoking on city property.

Rather than just banning smoking within a nine-metre (30-foot) radius of entrances to public buildings, city councillors are asking city staff to investigating prohibiting smoking on all city property, except for designated smoking areas.

“We’re approaching this wrong,” said Ward 4 Coun. Barry Ward, who urged councillors to make it quite clear that smoking isn’t allowed near recreation centres or other city facilities.

“(An outright ban) would make it quite clear. We wouldn’t have to put up hundreds of signs or butt-stop ashtrays. Instead, we could sign the designated smoking areas,” he said.

Council unanimously supported his idea. A staff report will come forward on the logistics of how to make a ban work.

Community Services Committee chairperson Coun. John Brassard said other municipalities ban smoking in parks and especially near playgrounds. The move not only reduces exposure to second-hand smoke, but also sends a clear message about smoking. By not allowing smoking, the city is not condoning it, he said.

“New Tecumseth and Collingwood have banned it. It’s pretty much self-policing,” he said. “I think there’s an appetite to not have smoking on any city property. Most people would favour that,” he said.