A comprehensive evaluation of the 1993 city of Toronto smoking by-laws

Effective January 1, 1993, the City of Toronto's two smoking by-laws--one regarding workplaces and another regarding public places--were replaced and amended respectively. Smoking is now prohibited in all workplaces (unless in a designated smoking area), and in at least 50% of eating areas in restaurants. Through a workplace telephone survey and restaurant inspection records, the implementation and enforcement of the by-laws were evaluated. Eighty-three per cent of the workplaces were completely smoke-free and 7% had restricted smoking to a designated area. A majority (76%) of the managers and owners were in favour of regulatory controls on smoking in workplaces. Eighty-six per cent of restaurants complied with requirements for a minimum 50% smoke-free area and signage, and nearly 4% of the sampled restaurants banned smoking throughout the entire premises even though this is not currently required.