Know the Facts

The evidence is indisputable about the dangerous health effects of exposure to second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is a serious public health hazard, known to cause lung disease, heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses and a host of other serious conditions in non-smokers. In Canada, second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death after alcohol and smoking, killing more than 1,000 non-smokers every year.

The only way to protect non-smokers from the known carcinogens in second-hand smoke is to eliminate all smoking indoors, with NO allowances for Designated Smoking Rooms (DSRs).

The economic argument has been proven unfounded by virtually every objective, peer-reviewed study using official sales tax data, demonstrating that smoke-free legislation has no adverse impact on restaurant, bar, hotel and tourism receipts.

Separately designated and ventilated smoking rooms have proven NO solution to tobacco smoke exposure. No available ventilation system is capable of removing tobacco smoke and all its constituents from the air, and thus protecting workers from second-hand smoke.

Thanks to the efforts of the ENOUGH CAMPAIGN, the BC government finally acted on the overwhelming evidence of the health risks of exposure to second-hand smoke and announced the implementation of 100% smoke-Free legislation in all indoor public places with no allowances for DSRs effective 2008.