First Nations intervene in case over smoking ban
Friday, February 16, 2007
A group representing 32 First Nations in Manitoba has been given permission to intervene in a case challenging the province's ban on smoking in public places.
The Non-Smokers Health Protection Act went into effect in October 2004. At the time, the province said it did not apply to reserves.
But the owner of a hotel near two reserves challenged the law. A judge ruled that the province failed to give equal treatment to non-Native businesses.
In response, the province extended the ban to reserve businesses. But the Manitoba Keewatinook Ininew Okimowin says First Nations should have the right to create and enforce their own smoking laws.
http://www.indianz.com/News/2007/000935.aspIf this happens here in the US I can see a whole lot of issues being raised - would we allow Indian tribes to have smoking bars and exert their freedom, or would we force them, even on their own lands, to ban it? And does that open a new can of worms on things?
If it is killing millions upon millions yearly (there are millions of smokers) then surely we would have a duty to step in and force their casinos to go smoke free? When do the rights of others trump their rights as a nation?
Hmmmm...