That’s the headline from Reuters International.

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) said a total ban would be brought in by April 30, 2008. An indoor smoking ban has been in place since January 2006 but prison staff complained the rule was being ignored.

Congrats to Canada. This is the first truly progressive news I’ve read in awhile. Feels like I’m back in the country of Pearson, Douglas and Trudeau.

Having grown up in the street empty suburbs and being diagnosed with asthma as a child, I was never really exposed to second-hand smoke. Nowadays, I’m still surprised at how many people I see in the streets of downtown Vancouver lighting up. I hate it when I get stuck walking behind these people, as the smoke just infiltrates your clean air, and you are forced to speed up and pass them. It’s even worse when I’m at places like Surrey Central’s bus loop, where it seems like everyone is smoking and you just can’t escape because you’re standing in line to get a good seat on the bus! Heck, I doubt I’ll ever survive going to a bar or club. I just cannot stand the scent of cigarette smoke, and after 5 minutes I begin some really bad coughing.

Having adopted the libertarian perspective as of late, I’m all for banning smoking at bus stops, restaurants, bars, clubs, workplaces, etc. The onus has, and should always be, on those who choose to smoke the cancer sticks. But, not just indoors, no, we should ban it on patios, and have a distinct smoke-free zone in front of all buildings. Businesses, should, however, being allowed to install closed smoking rooms with the proper air filtration. I’m not about to say to anyone that you are not allowed to smoke; I’m going to tell them you aren’t allowed to smoke where it affects me or any other person who does not wish to have smoke forced into their lungs. We’ve made great progress in the last few decades, but the current bans need to be expanded ten fold!

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