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2-Thý Canadian Champion, Tueadi Halton preparing. to tackle new smoking restrictions By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion Smoking in Halton-area restaurants and bars will be a thing of the past if the Region's health and social services committee has its way. The committee re-enforced a previous request for smoke-free public areas in the four municipali- ties by 2002 during a meeting last Tuesday. "Obviously, one of the major rea- sons for 100 per cent smoke-free (public areas) is because of the health issues and health risks. The other key issue is the issue of de- normalizing the use of tobacco, especiaily as far as kids are con- cemned," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton's medical officer of health. "One hundred per cent smoke- free is one of the pillars of a com- prehensive tobacco program that gets kids to start smoking a lot less," he said. "Just as importantly, for those aduits trying to quit it's been shown to improve the cessa- tion rate." The request came on the heels of "One hundred per cent smoke-free is one of the pilars of a comprehensive tobacco program that gets kids to start smoking a lot Iess. Just as importantly, for those aduits trying to quit it's been shown to improve the cessation rate."9 . ... -................ a staff report suggesting Halton be brought in uine with other ares municipalities that have already impiemented more restrictive smoking bylaws. Peel, York and Toronto have already initiated 100 per cent smoke-free public area restrictions. Current bylaws in Milton, Burlington and Halton His restrict restaurants to, a 30 per cent floor space smoking ares and bars to 50 per cent. Oakville limita restaurant and bars to a 30 per cent smoking area. Both Oakville and Burlington are in the process of re-evaiuating their existing smoking byiaws. Milton bas yet to formally address the issue this time around, but the majority of couniciliors previousiy told The Champion they would favour stricter smoking restric- tions. The report saw littie opposition from regionai counciliors, who agreed to bring the issue forward to their respective municipal coun- cils. "TMe public, I think, wouid support it now, whereas a couple years ago it didn't," said Milton Councillor Richard Malboeuf. Burlington Councillor Rick Craven agreed, saying the four municipalities should look at a uni- form bylaw rather than each set out their own miles. "We have to show some leadership on this. We have to take contmol of the situation." The movement for active, healthy living Safety First WÎth FREE** HanldsRee NOIA : ' 5155 Bring in this ad e 3 hr. talk time and receive a & 5days of RL E stand by tUme e 2-way textHU S messaging capable e'30 distinctive ring tones e 3 games é 225 daytme R D minutes monthly- u Value $4995 with After S75 Rebate* the activation Expires June 30, 2001 of any phone Unlimited** 100 minutes 2at Evening & Weekend Fabutan* (Milton) CaIing;àr4= Lunch or Dinner for 2 at Swiss Chalet* <Milton) Q ROGERS- M1~T WIRELESS fl: Main Si. E. INTEC CELLULAR INC, ~ MILTON 439 Main St. E. 875-1446 0 AL UmRogers communications inc. used under Lcense. OAT&T corp. Used under Ucense. *See store for more details. "Actlvate an a $45 monthly servie plan based on a 2 yr. terni PAC or PAP. Above offers avaliabie at intec cellular oniy.