Jump to full article: Kitchener-Waterloo (ONT) Record (ca), 2002-11-14
Author: JEFF OUTHIT / RECORD STAFF
Intro: WATERLOO REGION -- Regional councillors have moved to tighten their smoking ban yet again, this time taking aim at taxis and winterized patios.
While it's still legal to smoke on a patio, councillors voted last night to require bars and restaurants to keep at least 35 per cent of their wall space open to the elements.
Although this exposes customers to more cold and wind, councillors hope it will let in enough fresh air to blow away cigarette smoke that could harm any wait staff.
Councillors are billing the requirement as a compromise.
It comes after several bar owners irked the region by building fully-enclosed patios, to keep patrons warmer while they smoke.
That, the region contends, is akin to creating a "smoking room" in violation of the no-smoking bylaw.
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