While a recent move by Red Deer municipal councillors to ban tobacco smoking in some outdoor areas where children have access is good news for residents of that city, the vast majority of Alberta young people remain unprotected by similar legislation.
And that is something the Redford government should be taking a leadership role in correcting ñ although judging by past experience when it comes to public tobacco use, no one should be holding their breath waiting for the PCs to act.
Red Deer, Edmonton and Grande Prairie have now banned smoking in playgrounds and on sports fields in an effort to protect young people from the dangers of second-hand smoke. The move is also aimed at dissuading young people from taking up the tobacco habit.
Not surprisingly, the Canadian Cancer Society has come out in support of the recent Red Deer move, saying it will provide long-term protection for young people and other residents.
"Alberta's youth smoking rate is disturbingly high ñ young people are still choosing to smoke despite universal knowledge about the dangers of tobacco use,î says Sarah Hawkins, Public Policy Analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Smoke-free policies such as this will reinforce efforts to curb youth smoking and encourage adults to act as healthy role models around kids.î
While Red Deer city councillors should be applauded for taking this proactive step in protecting children, Tory MLAs should be given no such praise.
Premier Ralph Klein and Premier Ed Stemach were both very slow to move forward with policies to protect Albertans from the dangers of second-hand smoke. In fact, by the time the Tories instituted no-smoking rules for indoor public spaces, many other provinces had had similar regulations in place for years.
With the Redford PCs having so far failed to take any concrete steps to protect young people from the dangers of someone else's outdoor smoking habits, municipal councils such as those in Red Deer and Edmonton have taken it upon themselves to act.
Other municipalities, including Calgary and Medicine Hat, are currently considering putting in similar rules and regulations to protect children from tobacco dangers, and West Central Alberta councils should be encouraged to do the same.
"It takes an entire community to help prevent future generations from developing tobacco addictions and, ultimately, to save lives,î says Hawkins. "Alberta's municipal leaders are catching on to this fact and are stepping up to the plate to do their part.î
Isn't it too bad, especially for Alberta youngsters, that the Redford Tories continue to strike out on this very important public health-care issue?
