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Fn 06/07 1916 Canada to ban all smoking on d.amestic-airlines by m...
Canada to ban all smoking on domestic airlines by mid-1993
OTTAWA (UPI) -- The Canadian government announced plans Thursday to ban
smoking an all international flights by domestic airlines by July 1, 1993.
Currently, smoking is banned on all domestic and transborder flights and
a ban on international flights of less than six hours is sot to come into
effect 01 July 1.,
'The goverr.ment's position on smoking in the workplace is very clear,"
said Doug Lewis, Canada's transport minister, in announcing the plans.
Altho.igh 95 percent of all flights by Canadian airlines are smoke-free,
the companies will be required to reduce the proportion of seats for
smokers in a series of annual 25 percent cuts beginning on July 1. Lewis
said.
As of July 1. 1993. smoking will no longer be allowed on Canadian
c-triers.
Canadian Airlines International'of Calgary said the government's action
was poorly timed given high interest rates, an economic slowdown and a soft
travel market.
The company said that without the smoking ban being extended to all
foreign -arriers operating into Canada 'the new regulations will unfairly
and severely hamper' the ability of Canadian Airlines to compete
internationally.
but Canadian Airlines applauded Lewis who said he would try to convince
officials from ocher governments to follow Canada's lead.
In a letter dated Thursday to the president of the International Civil
Aviation Organization. which is based in Montreal, Lewis requested an
opportunity to attend the ICAO's fall assembly and to ask the members to
make international non-smoking regulations 'a high priority.,
'I believe that other nations share Canada's concern regarding the
hazards 3f smoking on board aircraft and that, with the assistance of the
ICAO and its member states, important progress can be made an this matter.'
Lewis wrote.
Lewis said the government's 'comprehensive strategy will help us obtain
a moke-free environment on all flights while permitting our air carrier
industry to remain competitive.'
Canadian Airlines said the unilateral ban could result in a more
than $35 million loss. half of its international routes revenues.
The 1.3sses, the company estimated, would result primarily from a drop in
passengers on its Japan-C nada route. over 90 percent of traffic on this
route originates in Japan, and 53 percent of those passengers are smokers,
Canadian Airlines said.
'Passengers from Pacific Rim countries and Europe do not view smoking in
the same way as North Americans, it's very much a part of their culture,'
the company said.
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BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 14 April 1999