Nunavik faces near total ban on public smoking

Nunavik smokers can look forward to smoking a good distance away from public buildings, bars and restaurants when Quebec’s proposed ban on smoking comes into effect some time in 2006.

And Bill 112, which proposes changes to Quebec’s Tobacco Act, may even become stricter than it was originally.

After three days of parliamentary hearings on the bill, Quebec’s health minister Philippe Couillard said he’d consider amendments to make the new law even tougher, by eliminating all smoking rooms and tightening restrictions on cigarette advertising.

The bill calls for the smoking ban to begin in Quebec on Jan. 1, 2006, but it may start later in the spring because Couillard said it might be easier for smokers to obey the new rules if the law takes effect when the weather is warmer.