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economist sunlsuntribune business saturday may 13 2006 by patrick mangion staff writer whether youre a tony soprano wannabe or sim ply enjoy the occasional cigar you will soon feel the wrath of antismoking advocates thats because in less than three weeks the smokefree ontario act brings in sweeping regula tions the legislation will replace york regions anti- smoking bylaw with a provincewide ban in all public places and work places by june it means for the first time since governments began phasing in antismoking regulations private clubs such as cigar lounges and bars and restaurants with enclosed designated smok ing rooms will now have to comply the changes will further fragment an already tiny portion of the tobacco industry said sarah lies owner of cigar bodega in unionville its already a seasonal business she said this months changes will force her to close the doors of a smoking lounge at her main street store which will drive away busi ness from smokers who had previously enjoyed a respite from winters bitter cold long popular among golfers and business types cigar smoking has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts the past few years as the it fad par ticularly among yorks well- heeled population but you arent likely to see cigarette smokers shar ing sidewalk space outside bars and restaurants with someone smoking a 50 cuban cigar its a lifestyle thing cig- ars are something to enjoy when you have time to relax ms lies said therefore it shouldnt be lumped in with the provinces smokefree measures she said tobacconists such as her specialty shop are already exempt from a sub sequent phase of the legisla tion that calls for the smokers left out in staff photosusie kockerscheidt smokers wont be able to stop by designated cigar lounges after the smokefree ontario act comes in in less than three weeks the legislation will replace york regions antismoking bylaw with a provincewide ban in all public places and work places by june removal of all tobaccorelat ed products on display in 2008 in the meantime the smoking lounge is already being dismantled as ms lies said she intends to comply with the new rules as does staff at vaughans paramount conference and event venue inwoodbridge the posh facility which opened to much fanfare just a few years ago included a smoking lounge and humi dor for guests now parent company bypeterandpauls is also in the process of converting it said general manager daniel salazar adding the new rules go too far i understand theres no smoking inside the actual building but not allowing it on patios and separate lounges now were going to extremes he said in places where smoking is already banned business has adapted and thrived said neil collishaw research director of physi cians for a smokefree canada when you start making exceptions it leads to more exceptions he said the whole purpose of protecting people equally will be eaten away at as for anyone hankering for a robusto and corona after may 31 it seems they will either have to risk stink ing up their home or cross ing their fingers for warm sunny days butt out d0ntgetar00m designated smoking rooms will no longer be permitted in restaurants bars casinos bingo halls bowling alleys and billiard halls private clubs such as canadian legions and social clubs will not be exempt smokefree all licensed private home daycares must be smokefree at all times even when there are no children present forget promos restrictions will be placed on the promotion of tobacco products by retailers with a complete ban on the display of tobacco products in may 2008 newimpr0vedthe legislation replaces the 1994 tobacco control act and saving lives health officials believe the new legis lation will help prevent the more than 1000 annual deaths in canada related to puffing away some well known cigar aficionados winston churchill the former british prime minister and orator was seldom pho tographed without a cigar in hand george burns the american comic who despite being an avid cigar smoker lived to 100 and arnold schwarzenegger california governor and holly wood superstar with that in mind the last big smoke will be held may 30 at the drake hotel on queen street in toronto tickets are 75 i v teste pv lasmhmbemom free-gohsultatioite- tfest patch 18662376667 lcipickering lcimarkham 9058311110 9054152737 1550 kingston road 445 apple creek blvd suite 202 hvvy 401 brock rd suite 122 hwy 404 7 open weekends and evenings for your convenience canadas leaderlk in hair removal over 200000 treatments retfotwed exclusive to lci- comfort aircooling pain free system fda approved and registered with health canada las ercom vm vc- fi ft ciin ra s international