Quebec public indoor smoking ban due next year

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Quebec smoking ban due next year
Source: Canadian Press, Tuesday, 10/26/99

 QUEBEC (CP) -- Tobacco prices will increase in Quebec, Finance Minister
Bernard Landry said Tuesday.


Landry would not say exactly how much the price of a pack of cigarettes
would go up.


But the increase is expected to be about $1 to $1.40 per carton.


"We will do it in concert with our neighbours (other provinces) because
otherwise we will unleash a contraband movement and an illegal trade of
all sorts," said Landry.


"We should be able to reach an agreement this fall and to act on it."


The federal government would also likely be involved in any tax hike on
tobacco products.


Quebec also announced Tuesday that a ban on smoking in restaurants and on
the job comes into effect Dec. 17. But it won't immediately be enforced by
government inspectors.


Gilles Baril, junior health minister, said health inspectors won't impose
penalties for the first "six to 12 months" the law is in effect.


"You can't change the world in 24 hours." Baril said the government wants
to give business owners a period of adjustment.


"We're taking a progressive approach."


The ban, adopted by the legislature in 1998, won't be enforced until next
summer at the earliest and December 2000 at the latest.


It applies to restaurants and other public places. Repeat offenders caught
smoking in non-smoking areas could face fines of up to $600.


Harassing an inspector repeatedly could mean a fine of up to $6,000.
Businesses that refuse to build ventilated areas could be fined $10,000.


Until the law is fully implemented, the health inspectors will only hand
out warnings.


Russell Williams, a member of the Liberal Opposition, said the government
doesn't appear to be serious about the smoking problem.


He said the Parti Quebecois government's approach does nothing to combat
the increase in smoking among youth.