Butting Out! The 1st Anniversary of Edmonton's Smoking Ban
Friday June 30, 2006
Les Hagan
Edmonton’s smoking ban a breath of fresh air
July 1, 2006 marks the first anniversary of Edmonton’s highly successful smoking ban in all public establishments.
Despite the doom-and-gloom predictions of the smoking bylaw’s critics, the ban has not resulted in economic ruin in our fine city.
On the contrary, our city continues to enjoy a rapidly expanding and robust economy.
In fact, Edmonton’s economy has profited from winning over several national conferences that prefer hosting their events in smoke-free cities. These events include the Canadian Medical Association annual convention last August and the National Conference on Tobacco or Health in October 2007.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Surgeon General—a leading global public health authority—released a major report on secondhand smoke. In the report, Dr. Richard Carmona concluded that the scientific evidence regarding the health effects of secondhand smoke are now “indisputable” and that there is no risk-free level of exposure.
After reviewing numerous peer-reviewed studies conducted around the world, Surgeon General Carmona also concluded that smoking bans do not have an adverse economic impact on the hospitality industry.
Edmonton City Council must be congratulated for its leadership on the smoking bylaw and for its sincere efforts to improve the quality of life of residents.
By comparison, Calgary City Council continues to drag its feet on this major health issue and its proposed smoking ban has been delayed until 2008. Calgary is the last city of its size in Canada to ban smoking in all public establishments since province-wide smoking bans took effect in Quebec and Ontario on May 31.
Air quality tests conducted in Edmonton and Calgary last year revealed that airborne particle levels in Calgary’s drinking establishments are more than 30 times higher than those recorded in Edmonton’s smoke-free establishments. Calgarians deserve more responsible local governance.
However municipal inaction does not justify provincial inaction given the serious health consequences of secondhand smoke.
The Alberta government has the ability to make all workplaces and public establishments in the province completely smoke-free. To date, a total of nine provinces and territories have adopted comprehensive smoking bans. Alberta’s current law—the Smoke-Free Places Act—applies only to public establishments that are accessible to minors, representing less than 10 percent of the provincial workforce.
Edmonton, Strathcona County, St. Albert, Beaumont and nine other Alberta municipalities have passed bylaws to make all public establishments completely smoke-free.
Based on the tremendous success of these local bylaws, the provincial government has nothing to fear by protecting all Albertans from the deadly consequences of secondhand smoke.
Protection delayed is protection denied.
It’s time for the Alberta government to step up to the plate and to act on its commitment to make Albertans the healthiest people in Canada.
Thankfully, Edmonton’s leadership has helped to set the stage for provincial smoke-free workplace legislation.
Column ID#: 11
**Opinions expressed by guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Connect2Edmonton members, partners or sponsors.**
RSS Feed