NEWS RELEASE

Smoke Ban Poll: 62% say WCB "heavy-handed"

Seventy-nine percent say government should review "ventilation options"

Vancouver, March 9, 2000...A poll conducted by the Hospitality Industry demonstrates conclusively that the British Columbia public believe that the WCB has acted in a "heavy handed" manner in the enforcement of its smoking ban, and that the government should investigate ventilation alternatives.

The main findings of the poll were:

62% Agree

That the WCB has been too "heavy handed" in its enforcement of the smoking ban

79% Support

The government studying ventilation alternatives to the smoking ban

77% Agree

That the public deserves the right to choose whether to patronize smoking or non-smoking establishments

77% Agree

That employees should have the right to decide whether to work in a smoking or non-smoking section

64% Agree

That business owners should have the right to decide whether to allow smoking in their establishments

Another key finding of the poll relates to the issue of "frequency of visit". Prior to the ban’s implementation, the WCB stated that the vast majority of "bar patrons" would prefer a non-smoking environment. The reality of this situation is that only 20% of the population are frequent visitors to bars in the province, comprised primarily of "Young Singles". Fully 30% of British Columbians never visit a bar, another 26% visit "less than once a month", and an additional 26% visit "about once a month".

Commenting on the results of the poll, and the devastating negative economic impact that has occurred, Vance Campbell, Vice President of the BC Cabaret Owners Association, appealed to Labour Minister Joy MacPhail to launch a review of the ban under Section 109 (1) of the WCB Act. He said, "More than 700 workers have been laid off. Clearly, the public is significantly behind a ventilation solution. We have to think that the government never expected this smoking ban to turn into such a devastating fiasco. Many of these workers can get their jobs back if the Minister acts decisively."

The poll was conducted by Market Explorers, of Vancouver between February 16-20th, 2000. 555 adults were contacted, and the results are accurate +/- 4.5%, 19 times out of twenty.

The Coalition of Hospitality Organizations is a group of affected industry organizations, injured workers, and individuals that support a ventilation solution.

###

For more information:

Vance Campbell Majid Khoury

BC Cabaret Owners Market Explorers

604.788-6353 604.662.7115 x 850

 

 

 

 

 

Backgrounder

 

 

 

What is Section 109 (1) of the WCB Act?

This section provides the Minister of Labour with the full authority to review any regulation passed by the WCB.

Given the unexpected layoffs of more than 700 people, and the poll indicating 79% of the public support the government reviewing a ventilation solution, the Minister has more than sufficient reason to call for a review.

 

Specifically, the section reads:

Review of Part and regulations

109 (1) The minister may appoint a committee to conduct a review of all or part of this Part and the regulations and to report to the minister concerning its recommendations.

(2) A review under this section must include a process of consultations with representatives of employers, workers and other persons affected by this Part and the regulations.

(3) For certainty, the costs of a review under this section are part of the costs of administering this Act.