A proposed smoking ban on municipal properties such as City Hall
could hurt attendance at the Capital Pride festival, say organizers who
are calling for a grace period this summer if the new rules are
approved.
Starting July 2, proposed bylaw amendments would issue
tickets for smoking
on city properties such as parks, beaches, sports fields and areas
outside municipal facilities, as well
Marion Dewar Plaza outside City Hall where the 2012 Capital Pride festival will take place.
In a press release, festival organizers stated that
smoking rates are higher in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual,
transgender and queer communities, and the proposed ban could discourage
many people from attending the event.
READ THE WHOLE STORY ...
O P I N I O N
OK, I am a strong supporter of Ottawa's
Capital Pride, but this request to the City to extend special rules so people can smoke at Pride is ridiculous. Do they really believe that the LGBTQ Community has 'special needs' when it comes to smoking cigarettes?
I smoked for many years, and one of the best things I ever did for
myself was quit 15 years ago. When smoking in bars subsequently became illegal, I breathed a sigh of relief that I no longer had to breath the fumes or go home stinking of other people's smoke.

Yet despite all the legal changes, it is still impossible to enjoy Ottawa's patios without having to wade through a cloud of second-hand smoke. Most smokers still do not abide by the rule to move 15' away from the building, so the smoke is even stronger because they all squeeze into a small space by the door.
Pride is no different. It is time for the LGBTQ Community to act like other grown-ups and stop imposing their self-destructive habit on the rest of us who wish to live without it. It's time to stop asking for special rules or nobody will ever take our community seriously.
Besides, I have no doubt that the decrease in smokers who come to Pride will be more than offset by the increase in non-smokers able to come and enjoy the smoke-free environment.