Yellowknife (Dec 01/03) - Smoking in the workplace will be banned by the Workers' Compensation Board May 1, 2004.

Joe Handley and Kelvin Ng, ministers responsible for the WCB in the NWT and Nunavut announced the decision Friday, saying it comes after months of consultation on the potential harmful effects of second-hand smoke on workers.

Speculation on the implementation date provoked discussion during the territorial election forums and WCB members said they are relieved it has been set.

"We are really pleased that the ministers have approved the recommendations of the board," said Penny Ballantyne, president and chief executive officer.

She said that May is a good month to implement change, and also a much more temperate month for smokers to deal with it.

Only a handful of communities in NWT and Nunavut have passed bylaws which ban smoking in public places. The new WCB regulations, will affect all communities.

Ballantyne said that the board will meet with employers and workers across the North to answer their questions.

"Our approach to enforcement is through voluntary compliance and education," she said.

Under the Safety Acts and Mine Health and Safety Acts, all tobacco smoke will be prohibited in enclosed workplaces, with the exception of some private residences such as hotels and seniors' homes.

Fines for non-compliance range from $500 for offenders to $5,000 for employers.