Bayshore Shopping Centre bans smoking anywhere on their property

_ (Via Bayshore Shopping Centre) _ ** Ottawa, Ontario, Canada,

 August 11, 2016

** – Beginning

August 15, 2016

, Bayshore Shopping Centre will be going entirely smoke-free, prohibiting smoking throughout their western Ottawa property.

The smoke-free initiative is a first-of-its-kind for a shopping centre in the city, banning smoking in all indoor and outdoor spaces, including entrances, parking areas and sidewalks. Those wishing to light up will be asked to leave the property.

The campaign will include new signage, as well as the removal of exterior ashtrays and common smoking areas. The initiative will be enforced at all times, including after shopping centre hours.

“Bayshore Shopping Centre’s new smoke-free initiative is in place to improve our shoppers’ experience, and contribute to a healthier, greener centre,” said Denis Pelletier, General Manager, Bayshore Shopping Centre. “Because cleaner air just makes sense.”

Currently, Ottawa boasts the lowest rate of smokers in Ontario, with fewer than 11 per cent of residents opting to light up. In 2012, the City of Ottawa went smoke-free, prohibiting smoking in city-owned outdoor spaces, including parks, markets and beaches, as well as all restaurant and bar patios. Legislation on interior spaces was introduced in 2001.

In 2014, a study estimated that each smoker would cost their employer an average of $5,816, stemming from absenteeism, reduced productivity related to nicotine addiction, smoke breaks and health care costs.