Yellowknife (July 11/03) - One week into the smoking bylaw in Inuvik has seen some real changes in the local eateries here.

The Sunriser Cafe at the Mackenzie Hotel has decided to remain a smoking establishment, but can no longer allows minors on the premise under the Town of Inuvik's new smoking bylaw. - Terry Halifax/NNSL photo

Owners of clubs and restaurants were given the choice to become smoke-free or ban young people from the premise.

The Sunriser Cafe is now the only adults-only coffee shop in Canada, according to manager Hans Maurer, who disagrees with the way the law was imposed on only some businesses.

"The Town of Inuvik dictates who can come and who cannot come here," Maurer said.

A non-smoker himself, Maurer said the decision to make the restaurant adults only was simply a good business decision.

"The smoking clientele has supported us all these years and this is the only place they can go," he said.

He thinks all establishments will soon be ruled non-smoking and he thinks that's what should have happened in Inuvik, rather than go after the restaurants only.

"Knowing all the experiences in the rest of the country, we could have gone non-smoking everywhere," Maurer said. "It would have solved a lot of problems."

"There should not be these grey areas."

In the week they've been operating under the new law, server Emily Rumming hasn't noticed a big difference in business since the cafe closed their door to kids.

"There's nothing to compare it to, because it came into effect July 1 and that's when kids got out of school," Rumming said. "I remember last year at this time it was slow too."

She said there have been a few families turned away, who were a little upset, but she says most of the regulars are pleased with the new arrangement.

A new twist to her job now, is asking people for ID before they can be served.

Gerhardt Erler, manager of the Peppermill Restaurant at the Finto Hotel said it's business as usual there.

"There's been no problems," Erler said. "We can't really say if there's been any less business, because it's the tourist season, but so far, it seems OK."

He also manages the restaurant at the Eskimo Inn and reports few changes there as well.

"There were a few people who didn't like it that it was non-smoking, but no problem," he said.

At both hotels, adult customers have the choice of sitting in the restaurant or the lounge, where smoking is allowed.