Yellowknife (Apr 16/03) - Smokers may be on the run again in Yellowknife.

Two city councillors spoke in favour of extending the reach of the smoking bylaw at Monday's meeting.

Coun. Ben McDonald said the intent of bringing down a 100 per cent ban - one which would include bars - was to instill a "level playing field" for restaurants.

"We wanted to avoid any market disruption inside the city," he said. "There is a problem as bars move in the direction of serving the coffee break crowd and the lunch crowd."

"The effect of what we've done is a disadvantage for the restaurants and in favour of the bars."

McDonald said council should pay close attention to effects of the bylaw in the community and prepare to have another look at the ban.

Coun. Kevin O'Reilly agreed and said feedback for the ban has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Myself, I've enjoyed smoke-free dining and I've heard only one negative comment and very many positive," he said.

O'Reilly said he's prepared to have another look at the smoking bylaw as soon as this summer, so long as council considers tightening it, and not relaxing it.

"I'm prepared to reopen this but I'm not going back, absolutely not."