Tough anti-smoking laws blanket Canada By BETH DUFF-BROWN, Associated Press Writ

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Tough anti-smoking laws blanket Canada By BETH DUFF-BROWN,

Associated Press Writer

Wed May 31, 10:53 PM ET

 

 

 

TORONTO - Smokers were required to light up outside across much of

eastern Canada Wednesday, as one of North America's most restrictive

bans went into effect.

 

Smoking already has been banned from most workplaces across Canada

but the ban in Ontario and Quebec now extended to public places in

general, including bars, restaurants and schools. The ban also calls

on employers to close designated smoking rooms and requires

retailers to ask for identification from cigarette buyers if they

appear younger than 25.

 

Though similar bans exist in some American states, few are as

restrictive as the bans launched Wednesday in Ontario and Quebec,

according to anti-smoking advocates on both sides of the border.

 

" We are very pleased we finally have province-wide legislation

protecting all workers and the public from second-hand smoke, " said

Peter Goodhand, head of the Ontario division of the Canadian Cancer

Society. " This landmark piece of legislation is one of the toughest

in North America and will save lives. "

 

Not everybody was happy with the ban, however.

 

" Where do they draw the line, honestly? " Richie Hutton, a cook at a

downtown bistro said while on a smoke break on a city

street. " Pretty soon they'll tell me to stop eating chicken because

the person next to me is allergic to it. "

 

Canada is considered a global leader in its efforts to ease its

citizens off tobacco. It was the first country to require graphic

warnings on cigarette packages. Nine of the country's 13 provinces

and territories have now passed smoking bans prohibiting cigarettes

in the workplace and public buildings, bars and restaurants.

 

" My general impression is that those laws are probably stronger than

the laws in the States and I pay tribute to all of you in Canada, "

said Daniel Smith, national vice president for the American

Cancer Society in Washington, D.C. " We need these types of laws

because we know, scientifically, that second-hand smoke kills. "

 

The bans also calls for partial restrictions on advertising signs

and countertop displays for tobacco. By 2008, retailers will be

forced to hide cigarettes under countertops or inside cabinets,

with " power-wall " displays of cigarette brands banned entirely.

 

Still, only Ireland, Norway, New Zealand, Bhutan, Uruguay, Scotland,

Bermuda and Puerto Rico have smoking bans in restaurants and bars

nationwide. A ban on smoking in pubs across Britain has been adopted

by the House of Commons and is now before the House of Lords.

 

The province of Quebec has the highest percentage of smokers in

Canada, with 23 percent of the population lighting up, though down

from 34 percent in 1998, when the government banned smoking in the

workplace. Only 19 percent of Ontario residents smoke — the second-

lowest provincial percentage in Canada.

 

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates 19,300 Canadians will die from

lung cancer this year.