Prince Edward Island is considering a smoking ban that would forbid smokers from lighting up anywhere the public gathers on the island.

The far-reaching policy would outlaw smoking not only in the malls, restaurants and office buildings that are the usual focus of such bans, but also in public parks, the waterfront and even busy streets.

The provincial government is examining the feasibility of the ban after receiving a recommendation this week that was unanimously endorsed by all of the municipal governments on the island.

"The people of the island have spoken," said Pat McGowan, Mayor of Montague, P.E.I., who has led the province's anti-smoking campaign.

If she had her way, Ms. McGowan would extend the ban right into people's homes, particularly where children are exposed to the dangers of second-hand smoke.

"For now, I'll let them smoke in their homes, but I'm a school teacher, and I'd really like to see them stop smoking at home, too. I have kids giving me hugs in the morning and they smell of smoke so bad. It's a shame."

Ms. McGowan was the driving force behind getting all of the municipalities to agree to the ban.

It is not clear just how enforceable this kind of ban would be, and how authorities would ever be able to keep track of who is smoking in any of the parks, tourist attractions and any other public places that dot the island.

The ban is under consideration by the province and its Health Minister, Jamie Ballem, who was encouraged to examine the issue with this week's endorsement from all of the province's municipal governments.

"The government is examining the issue and the applicability of such a proposal," said Pat Dorsey, assistant to Pat Binns, the Premier.

He expects some sort of legislation to be tabled in late summer or early fall.

Prince Edward Island is part of a push in Eastern Canada to impose anti-smoking policies.

In Nova Scotia, the provincial government has aggressively targeted youths in its campaign, passing legislation a week ago that allows police to take tobacco away from smokers under the age of 19. The government of Newfoundland is also contemplating sweeping legislation.

The smoking ban trend started in 1996 when Vancouver outlawed tobacco in restaurants.

In 1999, Victoria enacted a bylaw banning smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars, and soon communities and cities across Canada -- including Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Alta., and Waterloo, Ont. -- were introducing similar restrictions.

Last year the Canadian Cancer Society said at least 29 communities across the country forbid smokers from lighting up in restaurants.

Calls for a wider ban have been gathering pace. In March, Ontario's chief doctors group started to lobby for a province-wide ban on tobacco use in every public area and workplace.

Bar owners complain that bans are a blow to their bottom line. Many in Ottawa grumble that their customers have been flooding into the neighbouring Quebec region of Gatineau, where bars still allow patrons to light up freely.

"If the federal government would simply realize what's happening, they'd make it Canada-wide," Mayor McGowan said.

"Why should we have to go province to province?"