MONTREAL, May 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Nightlife Association firmly rejected a proposal today by the Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection and Public Health to force all bar and restaurant owners to ban smoking on their establishment's patio.
"The current government has promised and continues to promise to do everything in its power to help foster economic growth and job creation. This proposal goes in the exact opposite direction. Not only is it over-regulation but, if enacted, its most hurtful impact would be on small and mid-sized businesses. Tobacco companies are not the ones who would suffer from this measure, but small businesses – the same that contribute in a vital way to our economy," said Sandy White, president of the Association.
"We are told it's a measure designed to protect kids, when in fact it would also apply to our members, who operate establishments serving an adult-only clientele. We are told it's to protect non-smokers, when in fact several of our members' patios are specifically set up and heated to cater to their smoking clientele for most of the year. We are told it's to get rid of smoke on all patios, when in fact in several cases people will still be exposed to the smoke coming from the sidewalk and the street, without even factoring in the pollution" added Mr. White. "It's absurd. It's a bureaucratic, one-size-fits-all approach clearly designed by people who do not know or understand our industry."
The global nightlife industry represents close to two billion dollars in sales and more than 40,000 jobs in Quebec. Coupled with other areas of the hospitality industry, nightlife businesses form a critical part of a segment of the economy which represents 1.6% of Quebec's GDP and 5.7% of all jobs in the province.
SOURCE Association québécoise de la vie nocturne
Sandy White, President, Quebec Nightlife Association, (514) 781-7199, aqvn.ca/
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