Cold calling as Canadian smoking ban proves a drag
A cool smoke in the Canadian Arctic will take on a new meaning from Tuesday when the government begins to enforce anti-smoking laws similar to ours. Puffers will have to light up outside even in sub-zero temperatures.
The legislation came into effect on May 1 in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, the vast northern regions of Canada, from Alaska to Baffin Island.
Fines range from €50 for smoking too close to a doorway to €3,000 for a business allowing smoking on the premises. Lighting up in a public place could cost the offender €300.
Just like Ireland, the ban so far appears to be working. While Irish compliance is in the region of 95%, it is almost total in the Arctic.
Government officials admit they are surprised.
"People are really accepting of it. They are really understanding," said Erin Levy, tobacco reduction specialist for the Nunavut government, based in Iqaluit on Baffin Island.
"That may be because the weather is nice," she added. However, nice weather up north is relative. "We'll have to see when the weather gets down to minus 40.
"With the wind chill it can go to minus 80."
Smokers account for about 62% of the far north's 68,000 people, most of whom are Inuit, or Eskimo. Among teenagers the rate is close to 80%.
Yet, just as in Ireland, businesses and patrons have adapted, with smokers willingly leaving bars for their nicotine fix.
Steve Cook, director of the Chamber of Commerce for Baffin Island, said some bars were already building smoking shacks to help smokers weather the cold.
"It's a lot different than in a sidewalk cafe in Toronto," he quipped.
The only public place where smoking is still allowed indoors is the local prison but only if there's a blizzard.
State legislators have rejected attempts to make California the first state to bar smoking in cars carrying young children. Critics said it amounted to government intrusion.
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