Originally published February 7 2006
Canadian province enjoying the positive effects of its smoking ban
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In Saskatoon, a smoking ban that took effect in July 2004 has grown steadily in popularity, as business owners have realized that the measure has not driven away customers or hurt their profits.
A year after a province-wide smoking ban went into effect, support for the measure is growing in Saskatoon, the city's health authority says.
Under the ban that went into effect Jan. 1, 2005, smoking is prohibited in all bars, restaurants and other enclosed public places.
Saskatoon brought in its own smoking ban in July 2004.
Bar and restaurant owners have expressed concerns that alienating smokers would be bad for business.
But the "catastrophic financial impact" that some fear has not come to pass, according to Johnmark Opondo, the Saskatoon Health Region's deputy medical health officer.
Since the two bans came in, support has increased to 79 per cent from 71 per cent, he said.
A group of hotels launched a legal challenge last year, but at least one bar operator said the ban doesn't seem to have hurt business.
Niall O'Hanlon, bar manager of O'Hanlon's Irish Pub in Regina, said businesses need to adapt to change and he's pleased by the smoke-free atmosphere in his pub.
"We grew this year, as opposed to last year," he said.
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