TORONTO - A recommendation to let landlords ban smoking in rental apartments has been quickly shot down by the Ontario government.

The province's Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group wants Ontario to outlaw smoking in multi-residential rental units, on all restaurant patios and in all parks and playgrounds.

Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best says the government has already banned smoking in public areas of apartment buildings, and doesn't want to make the law even tougher.

She says the province is "not looking at any further bans with respect to smoking at this point in time."

Best says the government will study the dozens of recommendations from its advisory group, which also includes a call to stop treating tobacco as a normal, legitimate business.

The New Democrats say banning smoking in apartments would force people with mental health issues who are also addicted to tobacco out of their homes.

The Conservatives say the real problem is illegal smoke shacks that make it easier and cheaper for young people to start smoking in the first place.