WHEREAS second hand smoke is known to cause lung cancer, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, and many other diseases that are preventable; AND WHEREAS provincial governments in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories protect their citizens from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in public places: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the BC Government take responsibility for the health of its citizens and implement legislation to achieve 100 smoke-free environments in all indoor public and work places with no provision for designated smoking rooms, and also examine the options to make outdoor public places smoke-free, such as entranceways to buildings, outdoor patios, sports fields and grandstands.
Ministry of Health The Government of British Columbia is committed to reducing tobacco use and recognizes second-hand smoke is harmful and has a significant impact on the health of all British Columbians. Premier Campbell recently announced a ban of smoking on all school property across British Columbia, both public and private, for school opening in September of 2007 and for all indoor public places by 2008. Under the Community Charter, which came into effect in January 2004, municipalities have broad powers to regulate activities by bylaw within their communities, including those addressing public health. Government supports development of municipal or regional smoking control bylaws, which could cover outdoor public places. This approach acknowledges the importance of community readiness and encourages the development and implementation of public policy while at the same time allowing communities to extend the level of protection as public support increases.