[C-U Smokefree] FW: [JoeCherner-announce]Canada Moves Closer to Being a Smokefree Country

[Kathy Drea]

-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Cherner [mailto:Joe at smokefree.org] 
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 8:19 AM
To: Joe Cherner announce list
Subject: [JoeCherner-announce]Canada Moves Closer to Being a Smokefree
Country

 

Canada Moves Closer to Being a Smokefree Country

New Brunswick and Manitoba Go Smokefree on October 1


Canada, the second largest country in the world, is made up of ten
provinces and three territories.  On October 1, the entire provinces of
New Brunswick and Manitoba will go smokefree, with the province of
Saskatchewan going smokefree on Janaury 1.  The territories of Nunavut
and the Northwest Territories went smokefree on May 1, 2004.  (Many
Canadian cities in other provinces have also enacted smokefree workplace
laws, but not the entire province.)

 

"Smokefree workplace legislation is a matter of respect and dignity for
workers," says Joe Cherner, founder of BREATHE-- Bar and Restaurant
Employees Advocating Together for a Healthy Environment.    ALL workers
(including office, restaurant, bar, bingo, bowling, casino, tavern, pub,
and nightclub workers) deserve a safe, healthy, smokefree work
environment, because tobacco smoke causes cancer, respiratory illness,
and heart disease.  Congratulations to Canada for being a leader!"

 

Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick's Health Minister, said Thursday that
despite requests from tobacco interests to consider a three-month delay
in the new law, he believes most people are ready and willing to quit
smoking in public areas. "New Brunswickers have been waiting for this
legislation," Robichaud said. 

"It's not contentious . . . By Oct. 1, everyone will be breathing easier
in New Brunswick." 

"My hope is this will be the end of secondhand smoke as a workplace
issue across the country quite soon," said Francis Thompson, a policy
analyst with NSRA, a Canadian health group.  "We don't accept other
workplace contaminants. Why should we accept secondhand smoke?" 

Health Minister Jim Rondeau said there are no plans to hire additional
enforcement staff. Officers will instead focus on specific complaints.
"I think what will happen is most people will understand the reason for
clean indoor air and most people will not subject their employees to
second-hand smoke." 

To win smokefree air where you live, go to
http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php

Joseph W. Cherner

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the 
world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."    Margaret Mead

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