The “Smoke-Free” – seriously 🙂 – the “smoke-free” (ha ha) future of this unbelievably enormous province will be brought to you by the same people who use terms like “zero tolerance”, “prohibit”, “forbid”, “control”, “comply” and “public place” (to refer to private places).

Smoke-Free Ontario Act (Bill 164)
www.ontla.on.ca, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

“Prohibitions are placed on smoking in enclosed workplaces, enclosed public places, and certain other places. Sale of tobacco by means of “counter-top displays” is restricted, as are tobacco promotions in places of entertainment, and the restrictions on selling tobacco to young persons are tightened.”

Employers get to be ashtray enforcers.

“[Employer Obligations 3(d)] ensure that no ashtrays or similar equipment remain in the enclosed workplace or place or area, other than a vehicle in which the manufacturer has installed an ashtray”

Of course, the Act steps up violations of free speech and property rights further by forbidding countertop tobacco displays.

Pub and bar owners fear Ontario smoking ban
www.crfa.ca, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Assocation, Dec 15 ’04

“More than 700 businesses in Ontario — primarily independent, adult-oriented hospitality establishments such as pubs, bars and nightclubs — have built designated smoking rooms (DSRs), which are currently allowed under many municipal bylaws. The cost of installing a DSR ranges from $15,000 to $300,000.

“[Douglas Needham, President of the CRFA:] “These small business owners invested in DSRs in good faith to comply with one level of government…””

According to the President of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, bars have a “high proportion of customers who smoke. Asking these operations to go cold turkey will have a devastating impact on these small businesses.”

Retailers, Big Tobacco to Challenge Ontario Smoking Ban
www.csnews.com, Convenience Store News, Dec 16 ’04

“The new Smoke Free Ontario act would prohibit smoking in all workplaces and public places — bars, restaurants, casinos and legion halls among them …”

According to Dave Bryans, executive director of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, “Most convenience stores are small family businesses that would be devastated by the impact of a ban on retail tobacco displays…”

Health Minister George Smitherman says the legislation even covers private clubs and outdoor patios.

They couldn’t stand it that restaurant owners would use patios to disobey the crushing spirit of municipal by-laws. And imagine smokers trying to escape to private clubs! Hunt down those smokers and bury the ashtrays!?

(Original Post)