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Time to butt out

If you're a smoker, you probably want to stop reading this column. If you're not, feel free to keep reading. The provincial government has taken major steps to reduce tobacco use by putting some pretty tough smoking regulations in place.

If you're a smoker, you probably want to stop reading this column. If you're not, feel free to keep reading.

The provincial government has taken major steps to reduce tobacco use by putting some pretty tough smoking regulations in place.

The Tobacco Sales Act is being amended to limit the promotion and sale of tobacco products and ban smoking in all indoor places, including schools and on school grounds. The new regulations go into effect as early as this September in the case of schools and 2008 in all indoor public spaces.

Some are going to be upset by these new rules. If you own a pub or a bar and have a designated smoking room, it now means renovations to your establishment. If you are a smoker, it means an even greater reduction of spaces where you can light up if you so choose. But in the long run, these regulations are keys to having good healthy outcomes for us all.

These regulations are tough, but the province has done the right thing here and should be applauded for taking such a hardline stance on tobacco use.

It shows that government is committed to reducing the damage of second-hand smoke in our society.

Tobacco kills more than 6,000 people in this province every year and costs our economy more than $2.3 billion every year. Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for diseases of the circulatory system, cancers and respiratory diseases, and passive smoking kills up to 140 people in B.C. every year.

Those numbers are alarming and reason enough alone to welcome these changes.

We're all trying to be more active, healthy and happier. Without taking these drastic steps, there are no guarantees of leaving a healthy society for generations to come.

Just rewardsTwo local businesses received some well-deserved recognition this week.

Marketplace IGA in both Gibsons and Wilson Creek received awards from the B.C. Principals and Vice-Principals Association for their commitment to schools, children and education. We have many wonderful business owners on the Coast who donate products, services and money to hundreds of causes, and both IGAs are excellent corporate citizens. Kudos to Bob and Susan Hoy and Brian Stapleton for being leaders in our community. The awards are rightly deserved and long overdue.