How’s that regulation working for ya?
In 2002, Saskatchewan passed a ban on tobacco displays so that customers cannot see tobacco products in stores. The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2004. Retailers installed curtains or doors to hide the illicit but totally legal product. The intent seems to be that if people (especially kids) can’t see the cigarettes then they won’t buy the cigarettes with the ultimate goal of reducing smoking.
In 2005, the Province enacted a ban on smoking in enclosed public places including bars and restaurants. Again, the ultimate goal is to make smoking difficult thereby encouraging smokers to quit.
Subsequently, Saskatoon Health Region almost completely banned smoking on their property. (Wonder how that’s working? Just go to the back entrance to RUH, by the Cancer Centre, and see all of the employees smoking. Including security.)
So … I’ve been reading the “Health Disparity in Saskatoon: Analysis to Intervention” report. It’s very long but a few things did jump out upon first scan.
Here’s one:
That’s right. From 2003 to 2007, the percentage of people in Saskatoon who smoke went UP.
Hmmm. So, the increase in smoking is correlated with the increase in hiding cigarette packages. Think we can reduce smoking by doing the reverse?
The same problem occurs with abstinence-only education. People do not react logically or safely to being told they can’t do something. I live in NH and they recently banned smoking in the state. I can promise you it has no affected how many cigarettes I smoke, like the people in Saskatoon–there’s always a back entrance to sneak off to.