British Columbia: More Restrictions On Smokers

Amendments to British Columbia’s Tobacco Sales Act will result in bans on:

• smoking in all indoor public spaces, to take effect in 2008;
• tobacco use in schools and on school grounds by September 2007;
• smoking in public doorways, near public doors, windows and air intakes to protect indoor air quality; and
• tobacco sales in public hospital and health facilities; public universities and colleges; public athletic and recreational facilities; and provincial buildings.

The amendments will also allow for regulations to ban:

• the display of tobacco products in all places where tobacco is sold that are accessible to youth under 19, including products like lighters and caps with tobacco brands on them;
• ads that hang from the ceiling, countertop displays, self-serve displays; and
• outdoor tobacco signs.

Health Minister George Abbott said:

“We are acting on government’s commitment to fight tobacco use and reduce the damage of second-hand smoke in society. Our government continues to act to address preventable diseases and deaths, and the steps taken today will help build a healthier future for the people of our province. Better prevention and the promotion of health are keys to having good health outcomes for British Columbians.”

“We’re very pleased government is moving forward with this legislation,” said Bobbe Wood, president and CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. and Yukon. “Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke has many negative health consequences that increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and other serious chronic diseases. Putting in place these new measures is a significant step forward in helping to manage the devastating role that smoking plays in these chronic conditions.”