Fort Simpson (Apr 26/04) - The effects of a no-smoking legislation on bars, dances and bingos in the Deh Cho is guesswork.

Pat Rogers, manager of the Nahanni Inn, said customers in her restaurant and coffee shop have been asking whether the ban will apply there. She answers in the affirmative, but adds, "I don't know how it's going to affect things."

Troy Patenaude, who helps run things at Big River Service, which houses a restaurant and bar in Fort Providence, said he's anticipating complaints from some truckers, but he said others will appreciate the smoke-free environment.

"It's probably going to affect business a little bit, but who knows," Patenaude said.

Darlene Sibbeston, of Fort Simpson, is expecting nothing more than a temporary, minor drop in attendance at fund-raising dances and bingos. "Everybody has to adapt to change," said Sibbeston, who is a smoker. "It will be difficult at first but people will get used to it."

Tom Wilson, a long-time smoker and Fort Simpson resident, said he has no problem refraining from smoking around people who do not like cigarettes.

"But if they can have non-smoking restaurants and everything, why can't we have smoking restaurants," he asked. "I suppose pretty soon they won't even allow me to smoke outside, but they are going to be allowed to run their SUVs and pollute the air that way."

Fort Simpson is planning to inhale the proceeds from some smoking fines.

The village is introducing its own bylaw that prohibits smoking in all municipal buildings, vehicles and equipment. It can be enforced by the bylaw officer, the senior administrative officer (SAO) and the RCMP.

"We get the money rather than the GNWT," SAO Bernice Swanson said, adding that she has ordered a batch of new non-smoking signs.