The new smoking bylaw will mean Iqaluit residents like Gilles Corbey can no longer smoke within 10 metres of any public entrance way. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo

The bylaw, if passed, will prohibit smoking in all public places except the local bars where the patrons are over the age of 18. The business community met with council on Jan. 23 to discuss these restrictions.

"They are all 100 per cent behind us but they did express a concern with the next step that would involve a 100 per cent all-out ban," said Iqaluit's chief administrator, Rick Butler.

A 100 per cent ban would require the territorial government to introduce legislation, Butler said.

For now, bars owners can keep the ashtrays on their tables.

With the bylaw, however, anyone who disregards it will have to pay a fine ranging anywhere from $75 to $300.

A smoking bylaw survey funded by the Department of Health and Social Services showed 31 per cent of the respondents smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day.

It also found the majority of the participants believed it was the government's responsibility to help protect children from second-hand smoke.

If the bylaw passes through three readings in council, it will be effective April 15 of this year.

Councillors have been working on the bylaw for more than nine months.