The city's acting Medical Officer of Health made the comments as the Ontario government looks to regulate the consumption of recreational cannabis

OTTAWA - The city's public health unit thinks smoking or vaping pot should be prohibited in multi-unit dwellings -- even outdoor areas like balconies.

The city's acting Medical Officer of Health made the comments in a submission to the province, obtained by 1310 NEWS, as the Ontario government looks to regulate the consumption of recreational cannabis ahead of its legalization in Canada.

Dr. Vera Etches writes that the smoking or vaping of cannabis should be prohibited in apartments and condominiums because the second-hand smoke can travel between units via ventilation systems, and even through cracks in the walls, ceilings and windows.

Dr. Etches further argues that a ban should extend to all combustible products, including medical cannabis, tobacco, and herbal shisha.

"Our perspective as a health unit...is about how do we do the best we can to protect our citizens, for protecting their health," said Marino Francispillai, a program manager with Ottawa Public Health. "Our recommendation is very much about telling people where they shouldn't smoke; then it's about the province providing some direction in terms of where you can smoke."

The health unit says consuming cannabis through other methods, like edibles, does not carry the risks and dangers from second-hand smoke but that there are other concerns for people's health.

Listen to Program Manager at Ottawa Public Health Marino Francispillai speak to Mark Sutcliffe about this issue on 1310 NEWS' Ottawa Today: