Recent public surveys have exposed that Edmontonians desperately want a smoke-free city. The survey reveals that majority of people want that the public places, especially the children zone areas should ban cigarette smoking. The public parks, sports fields, stadiums, recreational facilities and playgrounds should all be kept as a smoke free zone.

Among the participants, 80% of them wanted that the smoking should be restricted in areas meant for children, especially playgrounds and, 72% of them notified that the outdoor fields and stadiums during events should not allow any smoking in the areas.

Also, 31% of the participants notified that strict fines should be introduced to avoid the smoking habits in public areas and, 42% participants stated that the government should come up with education programs and campaigns to encourage people to quit such habits.

The survey was meant to know the views of the population about smoking in context of kids, as such activities can influence them the most.

The Community Services Committee of City Council will be looking into the matter and may conduct a survey on a broader basis to know the ideas of the people, and may act upon suggestions conveyed through the survey.