Relayed
by GLOBALink - The International Tobacco-Control Network
by Source:
Canadian Press, 2002-05-28, via tobacco.org
Region:CANADA
Category: Smokefree Policies
HALIFAX
(CP) -- Nova Scotia's Tory government has successfully blocked
its anti-smoking bill from amendments proposed by one of its
own members.
The 20 hours of time allotted for debate in
committee of the whole ran out Tuesday, preventing government
backbencher Barry Barnet from putting forward an amendment to
ban smoking in all public places.
The Tory government blocked Barnet by having
other caucus members speak at length, one by one, and use up
time on the clock.
Premier John Hamm said the government drew up
the bill after a lot of consultation and didn't want it sidetracked.
The bill is expected to receive final approval
in the legislature by Thursday or Friday.
Once enacted on Jan. 1, the law will ban smoking
in most public places, but will still allow smoking in casinos,
as well as in bars after 9 p.m.
In bars before that time and in restaurants
at all times, smoking will only be allowed in separately ventilated
areas.
