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Smoke-Free petition recounts signatures

Organizers of the Sault's 100 Percent Smoke Free petition have done a recount and insist they have 10,000 valid signatures from City residents who want smoking banned in all enclosed public spaces.
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Organizers of the Sault's 100 Percent Smoke Free petition have done a recount and insist they have 10,000 valid signatures from City residents who want smoking banned in all enclosed public spaces.

City Council will be asked on October 21 to approve the ban, which would take effect on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2003. The following is the full text of a news release issued by the Smoke Free Task Force:

*************************************************************** PETITION RECOUNT STRENGTHENS SMOKE FREE TASK FORCE

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, October 11, 2002 – A recent television interview brought the validity of the Sault Ste. Marie, 100% Smoke Free petition into question.

Upon a thorough review of all signatures collected to date, a recount proved over 11, 000 signatures have been collected.

Of these signatures, well over 10, 000 signatures are valid signatures from Sault Ste. Marie residents.

Just under 1 000 signatures are from residents who live within the Algoma District.

The remaining signatures are from residents who live outside the Algoma region or were invalid.

The numbers only reinforce what the citizens of this city and region want.

The petition signatures will be given to the City Clerks Office for review.

Recently, an Ottawa woman won a landmark decision and will receive benefits from Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board after contracting lung cancer from second hand smoke.

She never smoked a day in her life but spent 40 years breathing in second-hand smoke as she worked as a waitress in bars and restaurants.

This national case should bring to light the dangers of second-hand smoke and give councillors a clear indication of the issues at hand when this matter is brought to council October 21, 2002.

Second-hand smoke has twice as much nicotine and tar as smokers inhale.

Currently, 50 Ontarians die each day of tobacco, equivalent to one death every half-hour.

The task force is supported by over 13 community organizations, including the Algoma Health Unit, the Lung Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the Canadian Cancer Society, Group Health Centre, Sault Area Hospital and the Algoma West Academy of Medicine.

Smoking affects everyone, now you can affect smoking. Go for a 100% smoke-free city.

It’s the only safe option. It’s the Ontario norm.

*************************************************************** You tell us

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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