Some Regina bars moving to smoke-free patios

A Regina bar says it will make its outdoor patio permanently smoke-free.

O'Hanlon's Irish Pub said it's making the move to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

The bar is also banning the use of electronic cigarettes — inside and on its patio.

The manager of the downtown pub, Kurtis Tokarchuk, said it's something that should have been done a long time ago.

"The times are changing and we found that our customers really want to be able to have that option of a smoke-free area where they can sit and enjoy a meal and a beer, so people asked for it and we want to give it to them," he said. 

Tokarchuk said even though the majority of the staff at O'Hanlons are smokers themselves, they voted unanimously to ban smoking on the patio. 

"Saskatoon has been smoke free for 12 years and every time we have somebody come down to Regina and they find out they can smoke on the patio, they're weirded out by that fact." Tokarchuk said.

The Canadian Cancer Society said it's encouraging to see the bar put the health of its employees and customers first.

The agency wants the City of Regina to expand its smoke-free bylaw to include outdoor patios, playgrounds and sports fields.

However according to a statement from the City of Regina, smoking bans for patios are not being considered at this time.

Meanwhile, other Regina establishments have already moved to smoke-free patios.

The Beer Bros. patio, located down the street from O'Hanlon's, has been smoke-free since it opened eight years ago. 

Greg Hanwell, the manager of Beer Bros., said he believes going totally smoke-free has been good for business.