Key Messages You Can Use

In addition to sharing your own personal stories as to why you would like the government to implement smoke-free legislation in all public places, here are some additional points to share with your local and provincial politicians:

1. No Safe Level of Exposure: Second-hand smoke causes disease, disability and death. The latest U.S. Surgeon General's report released in June 2006 shows there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and breathing even a little second-hand smoke can be harmful to your health. The evidence is indisputable: second-hand smoke kills. It causes cancer and increases the risk of heart disease, asthma and stroke.
2. Smoking bans are good for business: The most frequent argument put forward by those who oppose 100% smoke-free legislation, (including the tobacco industry, some hospitality proprietors as well as politicians), is that there will be a negative economic impact on business, primarily in restaurants and bars. In reality however, smoking bans are actually good for business.

• According to an extensive economic study conducted for Health Canada in 2004, without exception, every objective study using official sales tax data demonstrates that smoke-free legislation has no adverse impact on restaurant, bar, hotel and tourism receipts.
• Three years after the Capital Regional District brought in the strongest Bylaw in Canada, which banned smoking in all public places with NO Designated Smoking Rooms (DSRs), not a single type of entertainment venue experienced a decrease in patronage. Unfounded economic concerns should not trump public health.

3. Designated Smoking Rooms (DSRs) do not adequately protect workers and the public: While ventilation can clear some of the smoke in the air, there is no ventilation system capable of removing all of the toxins and carcinogens in the air to meet air quality standards. Further, no scientific or regulatory agency in the world has found an acceptable level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
4. BC has fallen behind most other provinces/territories in Canada: Legislation banning smoking in all indoor public places, including restaurants and bars, with no provisions for DSRs, has already been enacted in all provinces and territories, except BC, Alberta and the Yukon. While PEI allows DSRs, workers are NOT allowed to work in these rooms. Even Quebec which historically has had one of the highest smoking rates in Canada has implemented 100% smoke-free legislation, with no allowances for DSRs.
5. Only a small percentage of British Columbians smoke: The vast majority of people in BC do not smoke (less than 15% are smokers). Those restaurant and bar owners who have invested in DSRs can therefore rest assured their investments will still be put to good use by non-smoking patrons wanting to enjoy themselves without having to be exposed to a known carcinogen.
6. The Premier is on record as wanting to make BC the healthiest jurisdiction ever to host an Olympic games: It is hypocritical to advertise BC as the healthiest jurisdiction when we shamefully allow hospitality workers to be exposed to a known carcinogen.
7. Heather Crowe, a life-long non-smoker, died from exposure to tobacco smoke at work: Despite being a non-smoker all her life, Heather Crowe recently died of lung cancer caused from working as a waitress in smoke-filled restaurants in Ontario. After her diagnosis, Heather spent her remaining time traveling the country on a nation-wide campaign to alert people to the thousands of Canadians who die each year as a result of being exposed to second-hand smoke. She wanted to be the last person to die from second-hand smoke.
8. Strong support in BC for 100% smoke-free legislation: A recent survey conducted by BC Stats for the Clean Air Coalition of BC, found that over 79% of BC residents support or strongly support banning smoking in bars, restaurants and public entranceways. This support is consistent across the province and in northern communities.

Example Letter #1

It is best that a letter be as personalized as possible whether emailed or mailed in the post. Government officials will take it less seriously if it looks like a form letter.

Dear ________________

I am writing to voice my concern about the lack of protection for workers in the hospitality industry from the toxic effects of second-hand smoke. There is ample evidence that second-hand smoke causes disability and death. Health Canada requires health warnings on cigarette packages because of the known health hazards caused by cigarette smoke.

(You may want to insert a story about someone you know who is suffering from the effects of second-hand smoke)

I would urge your government to act responsibly and implement legislation that protects all British Columbians equally from second-hand smoke.

Sincerely,

Example Letter #2

It is best that a letter be as personalized as possible whether emailed or mailed in the post. Government officials will take it less seriously if it looks like a form letter.

Dear ________________

I am very alarmed that BC is trailing behind most other provinces in Canada concerning smoke-free legislation. Workers in bars and restaurants deserve to be protected from the toxins in second-hand smoke and we expect our government to act in the best interests of all working British Columbians.

Your government website claims that exposure to second-hand smoke causes approximately 110 deaths in BC every year. All the evidence points to the same conclusion - second-hand smoke is deadly.

(Personal story about how second-hand smoke has affected you or someone you know)

I hope that you come to the only reasonable conclusion possible and that hospitality workers be extended the same protection as the majority of workers in BC have experienced since 1998.

Sincerely,

Example Letter #3

It is best that a letter be as personalized as possible whether emailed or mailed in the post. Government officials will take it less seriously if it looks like a form letter.

Dear ________________

I am getting frustrated at your refusal to implement province-wide legislation that applies to all public places and workplaces. Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada have reported that being in a smoky room for only two hours is the same as smoking four cigarettes.

It seems to be that those working in the hospitality sector are often unskilled, female and earning minimum wage, yet they are exposed to the greatest workplace hazards. Many times these workers have limited choices for employment and should not have to choose between their health and their jobs.

(You may want to include an insert about someone you know working in the hospitality sector, maybe a student or a woman who is affected in some way by the smoky environment)

Please do the right thing and make sure nobody is exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace.

Sincerely,

Premier and MLA Contact Info

1. Contact details for the Premier are:
   
   Hon. Gordon Campbell
   Premier
   Room 156
   Parliament Buildings
   Victoria, BC
   V8V 1X4
   Phone: 250 387-1715
   Fax: 250 387-0087
   E-mail: gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca
2. Contact details for your MLA can be found by consulting the MLA finder website or by phoning the BC Liberal Caucus for address information at 250-356-6171.
3. If you are writing to urge for 100% smoke-free legislation, we suggest you provide the following government officials with a copy of your letter, in addition to the premier and your MLA.
   
   Hon. Olga Ilich
   Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services
   Room 342
   Parliament Buildings
   Victoria, BC
   V8V 1X4
   Phone: 250 356-6348
   Fax: 250 356-6595
   E-mail: olga.ilich.mla@leg.bc.ca
   
   Hon. George Abbott
   Minister of Health
   Parliament Buildings
   Victoria, BC
   V8V 1X4
   Phone: 250 953-3547
   Fax: 250 356-9587
   E-mail: george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca