Relayed
by GLOBALink - The International Tobacco-Control Network
N.S. toughens
smoking bill; changes create level playing field for businesses
by Source:
Canadian Press, 2002-05-17, via tobacco.org
Region:CANADA Category: Smokefree Policies
URL: http://www.canoe.ca/AtlanticTicker/CANOE-wire.NS-Smoking-Law.html
HALIFAX
(CP) -- Nova Scotia is toughening up its anti-smoking legislation
by forcing all licensed establishments -- except the Halifax
casino -- to create ventilated areas for smokers.
The changes
to the Smoke-free Places Act will create a "more level
playing field" for all establishments, even though casinos
are still havens for smokers, said Health Minister Jamie Muir
on Friday.
The bill
had exempted bars and casinos from provisions requiring eating
and drinking establishments to set up separately-ventilated
areas.
The amendments
say designated smoking areas in all establishments must provide
"100 per cent" protection for non smoking customers.
The opposition
parties and a couple of government backbenchers said they will
continue to push for an all-out ban before the bill becomes
law in the coming weeks.
