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Alberta Smoking Law

As of Jan. 1, 2008, the Canadian province of Alberta banned smoking in all public places by enacting the Tobacco Reduction Act. The law does more than stop people from smoking in public places, though. It also regulates tobacco sales and advertising. Supporters of the law, including the group Smoke Free Alberta, believe it will benefit public health and the Canadian economy.

  1. Public Places

    • The Government of Alberta defines a public place as any portion of a building or other structure that the public can access. This includes common areas of multiunit and group living residential facilities, outdoor taxi and bus stops, restaurants, bars and hotels. While the Tobacco Reduction Act allows for smoking in private homes and motor vehicles, it outlaws the practice in taxis, buses and work-related vehicles. If you smoke outside, you must be at least 5 yards away from doorways, windows and air intakes of public places and workplaces.

    Exceptions and Enforcement

    • The law permits designated smoking areas in group living quarters, lodges and specially marked hotel rooms, according to the province of Alberta's website. The province does allow smoking at public parks, campgrounds and beaches, but you cannot smoke in enclosed areas at those places, such as changing rooms and picnic shelters.

      Individuals who violate the Tobacco Reduction Act face fines ranging from $1,000 for a first offense to $5,000 for second and subsequent offenses. Law enforcement can issue an additional $250 "ticket" to persons who smoke in prohibited places. Managers who permit smoking where it is banned face a fine of up to $10,000 for a first violation to up to $100,000 for a second and all following violations, notes Alberta's Provincial Government.

    Advertisements

    • Alberta's government argues that tobacco ads and displays increase sales by between 12 percent and 28 percent. The Tobacco Reduction Act bans "powerwalls," which are tobacco product displays, typically located behind the counter in a retail establishment. Retailers can display tobacco advertisements, but it must meet stringent regulation. For instance, Alberta only allows ads that are no larger than 32 square feet. The ad text must not be readable from the outside of the store. This portion of the law took effect on July 1, 2008.

    Sales

    • As of Jan. 1, 2009, Alberta halted the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies, health care facilities and post-secondary college campuses. The Provincial Government website points out that large chain grocery stores that have pharmacies, such as some Safeway stores, may not sell tobacco products. Alberta cites support from the Alberta College of Pharmacists and the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association for this portion of the law. Both groups consider it unethical for public health organizations to offer tobacco products on their premises.

    Impact

    • In terms of public health, Smoke Free Alberta believes the Tobacco Reduction Act will help protect people from second-hand smoke as well as help current smokers quit. The group notes that in Ontario, 36 percent of respondents to one study cited smoking laws as a prime reason for their desire to quit smoking. Not only will the Tobacco Reduction Act enhance public health, but Smoke Free Alberta thinks it will improve the nation's economic health. The group estimates that smoking costs Canada $17 billion and Alberta $1.8 billion each year in health care-related expenses.

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