ZEALOT on Vancouver Island

Brian Kieran, 'Reliable Sources' reporting from Victoria, B.C. - Surrey/North Delta Leader - 17 January 1999

".......As for another "burning" issue (Lower Vancouver Island's 100-per-cent smoke-free status), I say smoke pot...the fine is less.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, the Victoria region's medical health officer, fancies himself the principal disciple in the global battle against smoking.

"The whole world is watching us," he bragged in the local newspaper. He got this notion because fellow doctors from as far away as Warsaw e-mailed him to thank him for rendering his part of the world smokeless.

Dr. Stanwick is a zealot. (emphasis added) Sometimes, I fancy he grew up with an evil aunt who beat him with her ashtray.

Thirty anti-smoking police ("environmental health officers") are currently combing the bars and restaurants to ticket patrons who light up.

Fines can range from $100 to $2,000.

In Victoria, it is now a more serious offence to be caught smoking a cigarette in public than it is to be caught smoking a joint in public.

Warning - if you're planning a trip or convention

write Vancouver Island off your list!

****