Relayed
by GLOBALink - The International Tobacco-Control Network by
Kevin Adshade / New Glasgow Evening News
By Source:
Canada.com, 2002-04-16, via
tobacco.org Region:CANADA
Category: Smoking Bans
A decision
on whether New Glasgow should go smoke free in public buildings
has been delayed.
Town council
planned to debate the issue before voting on it Monday night,
but after Coun. Danny MacLeod was called away on an urgent personal
matter, fellow councillor George Manos suggested the decision
be tabled until all council members could participate in the
debate.
"I
don't think it's fair that we debate it without Mr. MacLeod,"
he said.
A special
meeting will be held, possibly within the next couple of weeks,
so that council can make a decision. There will be no public
presentations allowed at that meeting.
If the bylaw
passes, it will come into effect Oct. 1.
At Monday's
council session, about 20 people made presentations on both
sides of the issue. Local family physician Rosann Seviour appealed
to the council to ban smoking in public places. "As doctors,
we all see the human cost of tobacco and tobacco smoke every
day."
She later
said that a bylaw would be another step in changing the public's
attitude about smoking, especially as it pertains to youth.
Robert Strang,
a medical officer with the Capital District Health Authority,
said second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of death and
illness. Ventilating bars and restaurants, as some owners are
urging, to get rid of smoke doesn't really work, he claimed.
"Ventilation is not an option."
Some bar
and restaurant owners fear that smokers would patronize establishments
in other towns, if the bylaw is passed. Both Stellarton and
Westville declined to initiate a smoking ban in those towns.
Tom Brady,
owner of Wrangler's and The Colonial in New Glasgow, said in
other jurisdictions, a smoking ban in bars and restaurants resulted
in a drastic decline in business. He stated that "if my
business goes down 30 per cent, or even 10 per cent, I won't
be here next year."
Manos disputed
that, stating that research shows many bars may experience a
decline in the short-term, but those businesses often experience
a resurgence.
Greg MacDonald,
representing The Thistle in New Glasgow, said he believes patrons
who smoke will head to Stellarton or Westville.
He said
it would be unreasonable to "create unfair competition
with this Draconian bylaw."
If the proposed
bylaw is passed, it would cover drinking establishments such
as a pub, tavern, club or beverage room licensed under the Liquor
Control Act of Nova Scotia; the lobby or hallways of an institution
or office building; a food court used or intended for use by
the public; bowling alleys; pool halls and retail or wholesale
stores.
Hugh Muir,
past president of the Royal Canadian Legion branch in New Glasgow,
asked that council make an amendment to allow the legion to
have a smoke-free section, which would be in the legion bar
in the basement.
Manos introduced
the motion in March, stating that "the only way to make
homes, public places and work sites free from second-hand smoke
is to not allow indoor smoking in these areas."
Anyone found
guilty of violating the New Glasgow bylaw would be liable to
a fine of between $100 and $5,000.
Copyright
2002New Glasgow Evening News
