Manitoba may ban smoking in public places

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, March 3 (UPI) -- While many cities in Canada have banned smoking in public places, Manitoba may be the first province to enact a smoking ban.

A bill introducted into the provincal government Tuesday calls for a province-wide smoking ban on Oct. 1, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

"Our October implementation date will give businesses time to adjust and look at the ban," Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau told the CBC.

The smoking ban will not include outdoor patios, hotel rooms and areas under federal jurisdiction such as military bases, federal prisons and aboriginal reserves.

Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have also considered province-wide smoking bans in recent years.