Iqaluit (Apr 14/03) - The City of Iqaluit says it will need the co-operation of all residents to help make the implementation of its new smoking bylaw a success.

The bylaw comes into effect tomorrow, April 15. Coffee shops and restaurants will have to move their ashtrays outside or face a fine of $300 a day. People smoking outside public buildings will also have to be careful that they are not within three metres of an entrance.

"I think the big thing we need to do is get the people involved. If someone goes to the airport and sees people smoking at the entrance, they need to tell them to go," said Mayor John Matthews.

A three-metre clause is expected to be the hardest to enforce.

"Sounds like a business opportunity selling three-metre sticks," said Con. Kirt Ejesiak with a laugh.

In an effort to clarify the three-metre clause the bylaw department is telling people that if there is a step or a ramp attached to the entrance way, a smoker must be three metres from the lowest step or the end of the ramp.

Though help from residents is important, the city says it has other measures in place to make sure the bylaw is respected. One is educating the public about the law and what it entails.

City officials have sent out kits to local businesses which include non-smoking paraphernalia like a letter from the mayor, signs, window stickers and fact sheets.

"There will be three weeks of warnings and then after that, we'll go into ticket enforcement," said by-law supervisor Robert Kavanaugh.

The Grind and Brew coffee shop in Iqaluit said it has a couple of benches set up outside for smokers already.

"I think we're going to stop selling tobacco products. It's the way the world is going. There's been people coming by saying it will be a good thing but we still have a lot of regular customers that are upset," said Jim Twerdin from the Grind and Brew.