Yellowknife (Sep 26/03) - The Workers' Compensation Board is just a step away from banning smoking from workplaces in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Dave Grundy, the board's communications manager, confirmed that the board has approved legislation to ban smoking in workplaces.

The law and regulations have been sent to the ministers responsible - Joe Handley and his Nunavut counterpart, Kelvin Ng.

Handley said that while Yellowknife's public smoking ban that takes effect Oct. 1 covers all public facilities, WCB's rules will extend to all workplaces, including construction sites and any indoor areas not affected by the city ban.

"If he (Ng) and I agree then we will set a date," probably next Jan. 1, said Handley.

If the ministers propose any changes or have questions about the rules, they will be sent back to the board for further review.

"To me it seems fair," he said. "Personally, I think it is a good piece of legislation."

Kelvin Ng agreed, and said it's important that both governments support the new rules.

"We are trying to put them through our cabinet as soon as possible," said Ng. "We certainly support the actions."