YELLOWKNIFE - As of Sunday, Jan. 21, it became illegal for retailers in the NWT to display or advertise their tobacco products.

By Monday, some shops were still not yet in compliance while others, such as Extra Foods on Old Airport Road, went to great lengths to remain within the law while not disappointing customers wanting to purchase cigarettes.

Anne Desroches of Extra Foods on Old Airport Road staffs the store's makeshift tobacco outlet located at the west entrance. The move is temporary but complies with new Tobacco Control Act legislation that came into effect Sunday. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

"As far as we can tell it complies with all government regulations and we intend to comply," said Extra Foods manager Rob Byers of the store's makeshift tobacco shop at the west entrance.

"We are making arrangements for a permanent facility," he said.

Under new NWT Tobacco Control Act legislation, pharmacies are now prohibited from selling tobacco and retailers with pharmacies - like Extra Foods - must completely separate their tobacco products from the rest of the store, including the provision of a dedicated entrance. All other retailers of tobacco are prohibited from displaying or advertising the product.

As well, the act bans smoking in all public indoor places in the NWT.

"It's to de-normalize the use of tobacco products with the ultimate goal of reducing the number of people smoking and the number starting to smoke," said

Duane Fleming, chief environmental health officer for the Stanton Territorial Health Authority, which covers the entire NWT.

Fleming said that despite ample notification from the health authority, some retailers were not following the letter of the law. He said Environmental Health Officers would be enforcing the legislation, and would be issuing 24-hour warnings for now rather than fines.

In October 2003, the city of Yellowknife prohibited smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants. The Workers' Compensation Board banned smoking in the workplace in NWT and Nunavut in 2004.

"This (new Tobacco Control Act) legislation reinforces and completes the goals of the others," said Fleming.