Relayed
by GLOBALink - The International Tobacco-Control Network
Tories eye
tougher smokes bill
Tories promise to strengthen bill as opposition, backbenchers
push for all-out ban
by BRIAN FLINN / The Daily News
Source: Canada.com, 2002-05-19, via tobacco.org Region:CANADA
Category: Smokefree Policies
URL: http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=9D96ECC2-1727-4DAE-
BAA0-80F68442B486
The province is promising changes to its anti-smoking law, but
it's unclear if it will be enough to satisfy disaffected Tory
backbenchers.
Health Minister
Jamie Muir said the government is preparing "a couple"
of amendments to its Smoke-Free Places bill, including at least
one measure to further limit where people can smoke. "There
is one thing we are thinking about that I think is going to
strengthen the bill," Muir said.
The government
has been under pressure this week from some of its own MLAs
to outlaw all smoking in indoor public places. The bill now
before the legislature's law amendments committee allows cigarettes
in private clubs and casinos, as well as restaurant and bar
smoking rooms. It opens bars to smoking after 9 p.m.
Sackville-Beaver
Bank Tory MLA Barry Barnet says he will table an amendment making
the province 100 per cent smoke-free. Some other Tories say
they like the idea, and the amendment will likely pass if its
gets the support of four other backbenchers.
The government's
amendments appear not to go as far as Barnet would like. Asked
if the government is moving to 100 per cent smoke-free legislation,
Muir went back to the party mantra about the strength of the
current bill. "The bill in essence would remain the way
it is," he said. "It's going to be the strongest legislation
in the country."
Premier
John Hamm downplayed the changes, referring to them as "tweaking."
The opposition
expects to get a look at the proposed changes today. NDP health
critic Maureen MacDonald said she heard a rumour that the amendments
include a future date when a total ban would take effect.
A government
source said such a deadline has been discussed; so has an amendment
to legalize smoking on restaurant patios.
Muir and
Justice Minister Michael Baker met with staff last night to
discuss the changes. They will show them to caucus late this
morning before releasing them to the opposition.
The opposition
released its own proposed amendments yesterday. Both the Liberals
and the NDP are calling for a total smoking ban. MacDonald said
many bar and restaurant owners who appeared before the law amendments
committee prefer an all-out ban to the Tory proposal, which
gives casinos and private clubs an advantage.
bflinn@hfxnews.southam.ca
Copyright2002The
Daily News
