Forces Canada

In the wake of public smoking bans in Vancouver and Toronto, Abbotsford resident Gian Turci has founded FORCES Canada (Fight Ordinances & Restrictions to Control & Eliminate Smoking), a sister organization to the San Francisco-based FORCES smokers' rights group.

Turci says he hopes that FORCES Canada will become a network for Canadians -- non-smokers and smokers alike -- who are concerned about the rapidly escalating assault on the freedom to smoke in this country.

"We don't advocate smoking, we simply support the right of people to smoke. Tobacco is after all a legal substance," says Turci.

"There are ways for both non-smokers and smokers to be comfortably accommodated in society. But we don't seem to be interested in exploring those. The path we're taking -- blanket bans and public ridicule of smokers -- is creating an uncivil atmophere that is quite disturbing."

Turci suggests that instead of outright bans, governments could set up a licencing system for restaurants and bars similar to the current licencing system for alcohol. Businesses could then cater to smoking or non-smoking patrons according to the terms of their licence.

"It's worked for us on the alcohol issue -- and unlike tobacco, alcohol is a potent behavior-altering substance that can even induce violent behavior in some people," Turci notes. "The liquor control measures we have allow people who enjoy drinking to imbibe. Non-drinkers who are offended by this simply don't frequent bars, and don't order from the wine menu in restaurants. I don't drink myself and I don't like to go to bars. But I wouldn't dream of imposing my preferences on a whole community."

Turci says he hopes that FORCES will be able to stimulate public debate on the smoking issue in a more constructive direction.

FORCES Canada will soon announce the posting of a home page on the Internet.