hillsdown
Well-known member
New year, tough new tobacco laws
“The different parts of this bill make it a world-class policy.â€
Allison Wall
Friday December 28, 2007
Alberta is shedding the image of the Malboro man as it gears up to introduce one of the strongest tobacco laws in Canada and the world.
In November, the provincial government passed Bill 45 â€" the Tobacco Reduction Act â€" with support from all sides of the House. The bill will make all workplaces and establishments completely smoke-free and will also ban tobacco retail displays and promotion, along with removing tobacco sales from pharmacies, healthcare settings and post-secondary institutions.
“The different parts of this bill make it a world-class policy,†said Kim Tradewell, a member of Lloydminster Action for Smoke-Free Places, adding there is only a handful of jurisdictions such as Ireland, Iceland, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories and Nunavut that have gone as far.
The bill, which is set to protect all Albertans from the effects of second-hand smoke, will be implemented in three parts â€" on Jan. 1, 2008 all work and public places will be smoke-free; on July 1, 2008 all powerwalls will be banned and on Jan. 1, 2009 there will be a complete ban on tobacco products in pharmacies, post-secondary institutions and other health-care facilities.
“The one reason this was so important was that there was so many different bylaws throughout the province,†said Shannon Haggarty, spokesperson for Alberta Health and Wellness. “This allows for one blanket piece of legislation so that people know exactly when they go somewhere that it is going to be no smoking.â€
Each year the provincial government spends more than $470 million on health care costs associated with tobacco use, which Haggarty says prompted the introduction of Bill 45.
“The minister has said a number of times that we are losing a lot of people through he effects of smoking and second-hand smoke,†said Haggarty, adding there is also an economic issue of people missing time from work.
A recent report released by Campaign for Smoke-Free Alberta says the bill will reduce absenteeism, sick leave and disability from tobacco use. Each year, Alberta employers lose more than $1.3 billion from lost productivity.
Bill 45 will only affect the Alberta side of the Border City.
“Lloydminster is unique and does fall under Saskatchewan and Alberta regulations,†said Tradewell. “The only thing the Saskatchewan side won’t include will be the ban on sales in pharmacies and post-secondary institutions.
While the final phase won’t be complete till 2009, Tradewell expects more changes to be made, such as the change of packaging.
They are also contemplating a huge fine for people that smoke in their vehicles with children present.
“The different parts of this bill make it a world-class policy.â€
Allison Wall
Friday December 28, 2007
Alberta is shedding the image of the Malboro man as it gears up to introduce one of the strongest tobacco laws in Canada and the world.
In November, the provincial government passed Bill 45 â€" the Tobacco Reduction Act â€" with support from all sides of the House. The bill will make all workplaces and establishments completely smoke-free and will also ban tobacco retail displays and promotion, along with removing tobacco sales from pharmacies, healthcare settings and post-secondary institutions.
“The different parts of this bill make it a world-class policy,†said Kim Tradewell, a member of Lloydminster Action for Smoke-Free Places, adding there is only a handful of jurisdictions such as Ireland, Iceland, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories and Nunavut that have gone as far.
The bill, which is set to protect all Albertans from the effects of second-hand smoke, will be implemented in three parts â€" on Jan. 1, 2008 all work and public places will be smoke-free; on July 1, 2008 all powerwalls will be banned and on Jan. 1, 2009 there will be a complete ban on tobacco products in pharmacies, post-secondary institutions and other health-care facilities.
“The one reason this was so important was that there was so many different bylaws throughout the province,†said Shannon Haggarty, spokesperson for Alberta Health and Wellness. “This allows for one blanket piece of legislation so that people know exactly when they go somewhere that it is going to be no smoking.â€
Each year the provincial government spends more than $470 million on health care costs associated with tobacco use, which Haggarty says prompted the introduction of Bill 45.
“The minister has said a number of times that we are losing a lot of people through he effects of smoking and second-hand smoke,†said Haggarty, adding there is also an economic issue of people missing time from work.
A recent report released by Campaign for Smoke-Free Alberta says the bill will reduce absenteeism, sick leave and disability from tobacco use. Each year, Alberta employers lose more than $1.3 billion from lost productivity.
Bill 45 will only affect the Alberta side of the Border City.
“Lloydminster is unique and does fall under Saskatchewan and Alberta regulations,†said Tradewell. “The only thing the Saskatchewan side won’t include will be the ban on sales in pharmacies and post-secondary institutions.
While the final phase won’t be complete till 2009, Tradewell expects more changes to be made, such as the change of packaging.
They are also contemplating a huge fine for people that smoke in their vehicles with children present.
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