Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 06/99) - As the debate surrounding strengthening Yellowknife's smoking bylaw rages, some local businesses are quietly taking a stance by changing their policies themselves.

Trapper's Cabin manager, Michael Honour, accepted a plaque Friday from Tobacco Action Yellowknife, in recognition of their contribution to protecting the health of both customers and employees.

It's one more smoke- free business on a growing list that includes Sutherland's Drugs, a business that elected to stop selling cigarettes in their store, to Tim Horton's and Subway.

"It's a healthy choice for our workers and for the clients that come in," Honour said after accepting the award from NWT Cancer Society program co-ordinator, Rosella Stoesz.

"We get a lot of youth in here from the area and we want to provide the safest environment we can. The flipside of that is we get to pump the kids full of fudge."

Stoesz said Tobacco Action Yellowknife gives the plaques out to recognize those businesses that take progressive steps with their smoking policies.

"It would be wonderful if the current amendments to the bylaw go through because it would mean there would be no smoking allowed in restaurants and other places where children under 18 are allowed access," Stoesz said.

"I think the idea of making the city lead the way in promoting awareness and providing healthy spaces is key. In the meantime, Tobacco Action Yellowknife intends to continue recognizing businesses that choose to provide smoke- free spaces."