Barmen vow to spook tourists

Smoke bylaw makes management enforcers

THE PROVINCE, Thursday, March 11 1999

By Barbara McLintock, Staff Reporter

VICTORIA (B.C.): Rebel bar-owners vow to defy a changed bylaw making them responsible for enforcing strict no-smoking rules in their premises.

"The gloves are off; war is declared," said Brian Mayzes, head of the Freedom of Choice Coalition.

He vowed that no bylaw-enforcement officers ever again would set foot in the Esquimalt Inn, which he runs.

And he said the coalition will start a worldwide campaign to try to discourage tourists who smoke from coming to Victoria.

Its bulletin, Attention: All Travel Agents, will be circulated through the Internet and otherwise to travel agents around the world, he said.

"Don't take a chance on ruining your client's holiday," the bulletin says. "Avoid the ashtray police and book your clients elsewhere."

The anti-smoking bylaw came into effect Jan. 1 but, until now, owners of bars, restaurants and casinos could receive tickets only if they refused to post no-smoking signs. Otherwise, the smokers were ticketed.

The new policy makes the establishment responsible.

Some regional board members said they thought it unfair to put the onus on businesses to do what the region hasn't been able to do itself.

"What we've done is stirred this pot up, brought it to the boiling point and now we want to the owners to take the pot off the stove," said Oak Bay Mayor Chris Causton.

But the majority said owners wouldn't be cited if they were doing their best to comply with the bylaw.

"It's very easy to take the pot off the stove," said Saanich Coun. Ray Williams, "You just refuse to serve people who aren't complying..."