Polling giant Ipsos-Reid, in a 2007 survey, indicated that 80 per cent of Albertans support smoke-free work places, 78 per cent support a ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies and 67 per cent support a ban on retail tobacco displays.
They must have done their homework. The Leader checked in on local businesses after the new legislation came into effect and heard few, if any, negative remarks concerning the new laws.
Holly Alexander is a bartender at the Sawridge Old English Pub, and an ex-smoker.
She said “Because it’s across the board, province-wide, complaining wouldn’t do any good. I don’t think it will be a big deal with our customers.”
Alexander stopped smoking in 1986, but has worked around the fumes ever since. She says within a day the difference was noticable, and welcome. “It smells better in here already!”
Shannon Malcolm, manager of BP’s Lounge echoed a similar sentiment, adding “We had done some research with other Boston Pizzas who had already phased out smoking. I think we would have gone in that direction anyway.”
Malcolm is a smoker herself, but says she always “goes out back” for a smoke break.
Smoker or not, she said, “I don’t like the idea of leaning over a table into a cloud of smoke. By the end of the night your clothes smell like cigarettes. I really don’t think we’ll get many complaints.”
Just when it seemed as though the new legislation might be a non-issue with local businesses, we spoke with an employee of a restaurant who wished to remain anonymous.
“Business has gone dropped hugely since the new law went into effect,” said the employee. Looking around the empty establishment, we had to inquire if it wasn’t just the time of day, or, as the other businesses implied, the January blahs. “We arent seeing the lunch crowds. Our regular smoking customers simply aren’t showing up any more. It may be partly due to the season, but it’s a drastic drop.”
It seems that the grip tobacco has on consumers might be so strong that it can affect the bottom-line of businesses they patronize.
The Tobacco Reduction Act will further restrict tobacco sales in 2008 and 2009.
As of July 1, 2008, retail displays, advertising and promotion of tobacco products will be prohibited.
If all of this legal talk is making you crave a cigarette, you are not alone.
The Alberta government website on smoking legislation says that smoking will have to be phased out over time. The laws governing smoking and tobacco sales will be incrementally stiffened so that smoking becomes more hassle than pleasure. If you want to get a jump on the increasing trend to stamp out smoking, you may want to contact the local Alberta Alcohol and Drug Awareness Commission offices.
They have a lot of resources to help you on along the road to becoming smoke free.
Contact AADAC at 780-849-7127, or visit http://www.aadac.com.

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