Yellowknife (Dec 08/03) - A long smouldering debate over smoking in bars will hit full flame tonight as dozens of people on both sides of the issue are expected to gather at Yellowknife City Hall.

On the table are a pair of motions which would ease an Oct. 1 ban on smoking in bars.

Since the ban went into effect, bar owners and servers have complained that business is down and jobs are in jeopardy.

Alcohol sales in Yellowknife dropped 20 per cent in October 2003.

This is just the latest round in a long fight over where people should be allowed to smoke. The issue could boil over to the entire NWT on May 1, 2004, when a Workers' Compensation Board ban on smoking in the workplace takes effect.

Unlike Yellowknife, bars in Inuvik aren't affected by the community's smoking bylaw.

That's because patrons are allowed to smoke in establishments that don't admit people under 19 years old.

There have been few problems with the bylaw since it took effect July 1, 2003, said Randy Shermack, town bylaw officer.

"A lot of people aren't happy about it but they are complying," said Shermack.

In the six months since the bylaw took effect, he's issued one $250 fine to the Royal Canadian Legion Inuvik Branch 220. The Legion was hosting its annual children's Halloween party and, though there was no smoking in the hall that day, Shermack said they were still in violation.

He said Health Canada has provided no proof of how long it takes for smoke to dissipate from a room.

"So an establishment is considered smoking whether there's smoking or not (during a particular event)," said Shermack.

Derek Lindsay, Legion manager and town councillor, called the bylaw "premature" in light of the proposed Workers' Compensation Board anti-smoking regulations which should come in to effect next spring.

"Everybody should still have the right to make a choice," said Lindsay.

Instead of getting upset over the bylaw, management of the Sunriser Cafe in the Mackenzie Hotel decided to adapt to it.

No one under 19-years-old can go in but adults are still free to smoke.

So far they've reported little difference in their sales.

Investment up in smoke

In Fort Smith, one restaurant spokesperson says their business will see an $8,000 investment go up in smoke once the Workers' Compensation Board's ban on workplace smoking comes into effect.

The Gallery Restaurant recently built a small addition for a smoking section, as permitted by the smoking bylaw of the Town of Fort Smith.

However, under the WCB rules to take effect May 1, no smoking will be permitted in restaurants, not even in what are now smoking sections.

The spokesperson for The Gallery would not comment on the WCB decision, explaining he needed more information.

However, he said, "everybody has their rights. I believe that smokers should have their rights, too."

Fort Smith mayor Peter Martselos also wants to learn more about the WCB ban, and whether it really means smoking sections in restaurants are not allowed. "I think, if that is the case, it's going a little bit too far."

The Fort Smith smoking bylaw was passed July 1.

Martselos believes smoking sections should be permitted but suggests signs could warn people they enter at their own risk.

While stressing he supports a healthy population, Martselos also wonders how many restrictions government can place on people.

"I'd like to see the bars exempt," he says. "An adult, when he drinks, he likes to smoke. There are no youth involved."