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Smoke screening

Growing number of city restaurants butting out

Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 17/01) - Some say national non-smoking week, Jan. 15-21, is a token gesture.

Consider, though, the number of pills, patches and support groups pushing Yellowknife restaurants toward the city's 2005 smoke-free bylaw and a pattern emerges: Butting out is on its way in.

Today, Jan. 17, is Weedless Wednesday in Yellowknife.

"Ten years from now we'll be saying I can't believe it was acceptable to smoke in restaurants," says Miriam Wideman. Wideman is a Tobacco Action Yellowknife member and regional health promotion co-ordinator for the territorial government.

The group invited 20 restaurants to go smoke-free for a day. Close to half of the invitees agreed. The Gold Range Diner, for one, declined.

Bars and pub owners were not approached.

"I don't think people are ready for (smoke-free bars), although it seems to have worked in California," Wideman says.

Clean air is the objective. Not just for patrons, but for employees exposed to second-hand smoke.

Fifteen restaurants, two more than last year, are already 100 per cent no-smoke zones. The Elks Hall made history with their designated no smoking bingo nights last year.

Individuals are doing what they can. Crystal Greenwall recently kicked her 13-year habit.

"My advice to people is never quit trying," she says.

The Stanton Regional Hospital nurse tossed out her lighter in 1999 after six years of failed attempts.

"What did it for me was the combination of Zyban (prescription drug reducing anxiety) and a smoking cessation program," Greenwall says.

She applauds Weedless Wednesday as symbolically helpful.

"Ultimately, it comes down to societal pressure and I think any anti-smoking regulation is good."

A detailed report titled "New Directions for Tobacco Control" penned by the territorial government's Interdepartmental Tobacco Working Group will be handed to cabinet later this year.

"To some people it looks like we're taking away their right to smoke," Wideman says.

"But given there are 3,000 chemicals in a cigarette, 50 that cause cancer, my response is why is it a right?"