The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau yesterday released details of the plan to help educate Manitobans on the Non-Smokers Health Protection Act, which goes into effect Oct. 1. "This information will assist Manitobans as we proceed on introducing a province wide smoking ban that was supported by all parties in the legislature," Rondeau said. "We're committed to reducing Manitobans' exposure to second-hand smoke and this legislation is an important part of our overall tobacco strategy." The plan, which was developed by Manitoba Health to support the introduction of the ban, includes the development of information materials for work-places such as fact sheets, signs and table-top tent cards, which will be mailed out within the next few weeks. In addition, the Hospitality Industry Education Working Group, with representation from the hospitality sector, government staff and non-government organizations, has been created to develop and implement educational sessions for the hospitality industry. These sessions will provide hospitality industry staff with information to assist them in dealing with the introduction of the provincial smoking ban and are being delivered by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) at 17 satellite locations throughout the province. Recent data from Health Canada's Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey show Manitoba's smoking rate for those over 15 years of age has dropped from 26 per cent in 2000 to 21 per cent in 2003. "Smoking is becoming less of a habit for thousands of Manitobans and this downward trend will help lessen the burden on our health care system and improve the overall health of Manitobans," said Rondeau. The Non-Smokers Health Protection Act follows the recommendations of the All-Party Task Force on Environmental Tobacco Smoke which held hearings across the province, listening to the views and concerns of Manitobans. More information on the act and an electronic version of the education material that will support the introduction of the smoking ban is available on the Internet at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/smoking-ban.html.3/9/04
