[CANADA] The Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association hopes to ban smoking at youth matches following complaints from from referees and parents that the air was filled with cigarette smoke from fans.

"There were a couple of incidents last year where a referee had to stop a game because somebody had lit up ... right on the sideline and it was wafting onto the field," association president Alastair Gillespie said. "We're doing this for the protection of the kids."

Outdoor smoking bans are growing across Canada.

Toronto has banned smoking near all playgrounds and wading pools.