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City to butt out Oct. 1

Hotels, motels not affected

Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 27/03) - Yellowknife will be smoke-free beginning Oct. 1. City council's smoking bylaw will affect clubs, bars, restaurants and public facilities.

NNSL Photo

Rosella Stoesz of Tobacco Action Yellowknife said no to smoking and supported the no smoking bylaw. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo


Two presentations were made to support the bylaw, one argued against it.

"We believe it is the right thing to do. There are health impacts, but no lasting negative economic effects," said Rosella Stoesz of Tobacco Action Yellowknife.

Arlene Yaceyko of the Canadian Cancer Society agreed.

"Smoke-free policies do not kill business, but smoking kills people," she noted.

Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce is against the bylaw.

The $10,000 maximum fine is "outrageous," says chamber president David MacPherson.

Establishments affected by the bylaw have been placed in a position to enforce social policy, MacPherson says.

Some councillors wanted to go further.

Council should include hotel and motel rooms as no smoking areas, suggested Councillor Blake Lyons before the bylaw passed.

That potential addition upset Councillor Alan Woytuik.

"I would not support that amendment. These (rooms) are temporary residences for people. We're trying to foster tourism here," he said.

The addition was defeated.

Council re-set the start date at Oct. 1 instead of the planned Sept. 1 because of enforcement concerns.

That delay will give bylaw enforcement staff time to rearrange scheduling to decide how to enforce the no smoking rule in the city's many bars and clubs.