Pubdate: Sun, 17 May 2015 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/5NyOACet Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Page: A8 SKI RESORT GOES SMOKE FREE Whistler Blackcomb ski resort made headlines last week, not for a major competition or a facility upgrade, but because it's banning all forms of smoking, including marijuana. Marijuana? That's like not allowing beer after a recreational slo-pitch game. Jokes aside, this is a great thing provided it's properly enforced. Ownership stated in a press release that it's to "preserve the pristine alpine environment for our guests." We can add that smoking is a health hazard and studies prove second-hand smoke causes health problems. Skiing, snowboarding and other forms of alpine sports are healthy forms of recreation. Who could ever forget the anti-smoking campaign in Alberta showcasing a waitress, who had never smoked a cigarette in her life, dying of lung cancer caused by years of working in smoke-filled taverns. It's impossible to argue with that. It's soon coming to where smoking will be banned just about everywhere except in a personal residence. Penticton Lakeside Resort general manager Dave Prystay made headlines in 2012 when he challenged city officials to ban all smoking anywhere in the city, using as an example Hawaii, where all walkways and beaches are smoke free. Advocates of smoking may argue for personal choice and freedom. If a ski hill is corporately owned, ultimately, it should be a decision that's made by ownership. For smaller hills fearful that following suit would be disastrous for their business model, there's no need to fear. Once upon a time, everyone smoked, not only in the bars, but on airplanes and in coffee shops and movie theatres. All of the above mentioned seem to be doing fine with their bottom line. In the case of coffee shops, some actually saw a spike in business when they went smoke free. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt