In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1985. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: Smoking bans were not introduced in some municipalities in BC until the late 1980s and 1990s and provincially in the early 2000s. Some restaurants, however, began introducing non-smoking sections before any bans were put in effect. In June 1985, council considered a no-smoking bylaw after a letter from the Coast-Garibaldi Health Unit suggested a bylaw to increase the number of smoke-free areas in the community. The matter was then passed on to the Chamber of Commerce and the Whistler Resort Association for comment and members of the community were consulted. Some members of council supported the idea, but not everyone in Whistler was on board.
Question: Do you think restaurants should have no-smoking sections?
Peggy Diebel – Nurse/homemaker – Vancouver
Oh, I definitely do. I find smoke quite offensive. I have a problem, though, asking people not to smoke. If people are sitting in a non-smoking area, yes, then I’ll ask them. But I have a lot of friends and relatives that smoke, so I don’t usually ask other people not to.
Geoff Snowball – Media Club Manager – Vancouver
I do. Why? I feel that someone should have the option to ask to sit in a non-smoking section. I used to smoke – but I quit 12 years ago. No, I don’t usually ask people not to smoke, unless it’s a cigar or a pipe. That smoke can be very offensive.
Peter Cook – DJ/Aerobics Instructor – Vancouver
Yes. I am a smoker too, but I’m trying to quit. I also work out every day and teach aerobics. Most of my friends are non-smokers and they really get on my case.