At least you don't live in the communist province of Ontario.
"Ontario passes tough smoking restrictions
Last updated Jun 9 2005 08:11 AM EDT
CBC News
TORONTO – A law passed in the Ontario legislature Wednesday will ban smoking in every workplace and indoor public area by June 2006.
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act also gives shopkeepers until 2008 to get rid of "power wall" display cases, which hold dozens of cigarette packages at a time.
"I'm very proud of this legislation," Premier Dalton McGuinty told reporters after the bill passed final reading in the legislature by a 71-6 vote.
McGuinty noted that smoking kills 16,000 Ontario residents each year, and costs the province billions of dollars in lost productivity and health-care costs.
"We're taking a strong stand against tobacco, and by so doing, standing up for the health of Ontarians," he said.
Even legion halls will be subject to the new rules, despite calls from veterans for an exemption.
"Eighty per cent of Ontario's adults don't smoke, and that applies to those that fought in wars," said Health Minister George Smitherman.
"Everyone deserves an equal right to be able to enjoy their indoor space without harmful effect."
Restaurateurs, bars owners and casino operators had vigorously opposed the smoking prohibition, arguing that it would hurt their business.
"I have no doubt that it's going to impact on the border casinos, on charity gaming, and the hospitality sector," said Erie-Lincoln MPP Tim Hudak, who was one of just six MPPs to vote against the bill.
"I don't think this government has accounted for the loss in money at the casinos as a result of this bill."
Agriculture Minister Steve Peters said the government would provide $35 million to help Ontario tobacco farmers switch to other crops, and another $15 million in financial assistance for communities where the tobacco industry is a major employer.
Peters said there are currently about 600 tobacco growers in Ontario, down from more than 2,000 a decade ago."
http://ottawa.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ot-smoking20050609
