Inuvik (Mar 28/03) - Armed with stacks of statistics and fistfuls of government health publications, the town came braced for a battle that never happened.

Eleven people turned out for a public meeting on the town's proposed smoking restriction bylaw last Thursday at Ingamo Hall and almost all were in support of the new law that will see an end to smoking in public buildings.

Gerhard Erler, of Finto's Peppermill Restaurant and the Cabin Lounge, says the hospitality industry operates on a narrow margin and worries about upsetting his customers with the new law.

"A minority is pushing something through that the majority doesn't want," Erler said.

Mayor Peter Clarkson said the town is proposing a bylaw the same as many other jurisdictions have done.

Later in the meeting, Erler suggested they move up the effective date of the bylaw.

"You might as well make it effective July 1, rather than send them out into the cold in January," Erler said.

Coun. Alfred Moses commented about a recent survey taken in the NWT regarding smoking statistics.

"Smoking has reached epidemic proportions here," Moses said.

The study determined that smoking rates among adolescents in the NWT are the highest in Canada and more than half of all young women are smokers.

Moses also pointed out that the Inuvik bylaw could be superceded by territorial legislation that could be passed through the Workers Compensation Board Act.

The bylaw will restrict smoking in town-owned buildings.

That will include the curling club and the community hall.

The bylaw will also prohibit smoking in public buildings accessible to the public as well as stairways, washrooms, hallways, elevators and washrooms.

Taxi cabs and school buses are also covered in the law.

Hotel rooms are left to the discretion of the hotel owner, but non-smoking designated rooms must remain smoke-free.

The fines proposed would see any individual fined $100 and any business fined $250 per infraction.

The bylaw does not apply to bars or any area where minors are not allowed.

At Monday's committee of the whole meeting, council debated some changes to the bylaw.

Coun. Denny Rodgers said he thought the stipulation of restricting smoking within three metres of an entrance was not fair to places like the Cafe Gallery, which has outdoor seating.

"It seems to me this has shifted from protecting the kids to 'Let's get them damned adult smokers,' " Rodgers said.

Deputy Mayor Clarence Wood shared Rodgers' concern.

Coun. George Doolittle questioned the policing of the bylaw, but thought they should strengthen rather than weaken the law.

"I'd rather have a strong bylaw that allows for relaxation than have a weak bylaw," Doolittle said.

Council voted for in favour during second reading of the bylaw at Wednesday's meeting.