Ontario's health minister says it is time for a debate about banning smoking in apartment buildings, but added he would rather see market forces -- not legislation -- make the changes.
George Smitherman said the idea is worth raising in the provincial legislature.
"We've got to look at it from a regulatory standpoint," Smitherman told the Toronto Star.
"We sure will do that. There will be a good discussion. But there is a lot of power in the hands of the people."
Two Ipsos-Reid surveys conducted last year for the Ontario Tobacco-Free Network showed 70 per cent of apartment dwellers said second-hand smoke from their neighbours was bothersome.
The poll results, which were released on Tuesday, also showed that 64 per cent of renters would likely choose a smoke-free building over one where smoking is permitted.
Half of the people surveyed said they have noticed tobacco smoke entering their units from other apartments, and seven in 10 said they were bothered by it.
Anti-smoking activists say a debate on the issue would be welcome because tenants do not have a choice to live smoke-free.
In Ontario, smoking is not allowed in common areas of apartment buildings, including elevators and hallways. However, tenants are free to smoke inside their apartments.
The Ipsos-Reid survey was conducted in March and November 2006 and questioned 1,800 residents. The results have a margin of error of 2.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
With files from The Canadian Press
