News Releases

May 18, 2006

 (Ottawa) – The President of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada  called on Canadian lawmakers to show their support for a motion presented in the Senate to make all workplaces and public places in Canada smoke-free.

“The evidence is compelling,” said Dr. Atul Kapur. President of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.  "Any exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke is hazardous and no amount of ventilation can protect people from the dangers of second-hand smoke," he declared.

On May 17, Liberal Senator Mac Harb presented a motion to make all workplaces and public places in Canada 100% smoke-free.  The motion was seconded by Conservative Senator Dr. Wilbert Keon.  By December 1, 2006, most workplaces in Canada will be smoke-free.  By then, there will be full protection from second-hand smoke in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Laws providing protection from second-hand smoke for some workers but not others are in place in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.  However, laws in these provinces need to be upgraded to provide 100% protection.

People in the Yukon, Alberta and federal jurisdiction have little or no legal protection from second-hand smoke at work.

The Senate motion calls on all governments that have not yet done so to enact comprehensive smoke-free legislation.

"Senators Harb and Keon are asking lawmakers to upgrade legal protection from second-hand smoke. We applaud their initiative and add our voices to theirs.  We call on the federal government, and the governments of the Yukon, Alberta, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador  to provide 100% legal protection from second-hand smoke in workplaces and public places," declared Dr. Kapur.

Heather Crowe, a non-smoking waitress who contracted lung cancer after forty years of working in smoky bars and restaurants has campaigned tirelessly for smoke-free workplaces.  Ms. Crowe  now resides in a palliative care centre.  She is in very poor health.  When told of Senator Harb's motion, she stated.  "I want to be the last person to die from second-hand smoke at work.  Your motion will help make my wish come true."

Dr. Kapur concluded, "Let's make Canada 100% smoke-free.  Let's do it for Heather."

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For information:    

Neil Collishaw, Research Director,                                   Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada                                       Telephones: Office 1 613 233 4878, mobile 1 613 297 3590

Senator Harb's motion and speech, May 17