The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) should be a place where all kids—of every culture and background—can laugh, explore, and make memories without breathing secondhand smoke or vape aerosol. Today, families report encountering smoke throughout the grounds. That’s not fair to children, people with asthma or allergies, pregnant visitors, staff, or seniors.

Secondhand smoke facts: Health Canada notes that it contains over 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of which cause cancer. Children exposed are at higher risk of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and ear problems. A truly family-friendly CNE means clean air everywhere, not just in a few corners.

What we’re asking CNE to do:

1. Adopt a clear smoke-free and vape-free event policy (including cannabis and e-cigarettes) across the fairgrounds.
2. If a full ban isn’t immediately feasible, create enforceable designated smoking areas outside the gates—not inside family activity zones.
3. Post prominent signage, train staff on respectful enforcement, and communicate the policy in all tickets, maps, and announcements.

Why now: Toronto prides itself on public health leadership. Let’s make the CNE a model for big events that put kids first.

 
Look around: major attractions already do this (Toronto can lead—or even do better)

• SeaWorld (U.S.) – Smoking (including e-cigs) is allowed only in designated smoking areas; guests must use marked spots shown on the park map.
• Disney Theme Parks (U.S.) – No smoking inside the parks since 2019. Guests who choose to smoke must use designated areas located outside the main entrances; resorts and Disney Springs have designated outdoor areas.
• Canada’s Wonderland (ON) – Smoke-free inside the park, including vaping and cannabis. Guests must exit the park to smoke; re-entry is permitted.
• Zoos are going smoke-free, too:
  • Toronto Zoo – Smoke- and vape-free property since May 1, 2019 (covers tobacco, cannabis, and e-cigs).
  • Safari Niagara – Smoke-free environment; visitors must extinguish all smoking materials (incl. e-cigs) before entering.
  • Los Angeles Zoo – No smoking in the zoo; only in areas outside (e.g., parking lot).
  • Singapore Zoo – Smoke-free; designated smoking point outside the entrance.
• Even countries formerly referred to as "third world" have parks, and many are smoke-free
  
  • Bhutan: Became the first country to outlaw smoking in all public places in 2005.
  • Mexico: Has a strict ban on smoking in all public spaces, including parks and beaches.  
  • South Africa: While not a complete ban everywhere, smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, and national parks are subject to the country's tobacco control laws, which are very comprehensive.  

General trends

1. Widespread bans: Smoking bans are becoming increasingly common globally, often extending to public parks, beaches, and other outdoor recreational areas.  
2. Varied regulations: The strictness of these laws varies by country and even by specific location within a country.  
3. Enforcement: The effectiveness of these laws depends on enforcement, but many countries have strong enforcement mechanisms in place to protect public health. 

If they can do it, why can’t the CNE? Toronto can match—and even surpass—these standards by keeping smoke out of children’s spaces entirely and placing any designated smoking areas outside the gates.

Add your name, and sign the petition to call for a CNE that welcomes every child with clean air and open arms.

#SmokeFreeCNE