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CALGARY - Alberta MLAs should resist pressure to water down an anti-smoking bill being debated today in the legislature. That was the message from D’Arcy Lanovaz, President of CUPE Alberta.

A private members’ bill to ban smoking in public places is being debated at the legislature today. It is expected that attempts will be made to amend the bill to exclude bars and casinos.

Lanovaz says he expects the pressure on Conservative MLAs to water down the bill will be huge. Premier Klein supports the amendments.

“On one side we have anti-smoking groups, Alberta municipalities and a solid majority of Alberta citizens, on the other side, we have Ralph Klein,” said Lanovaz. “So the odds of the bill getting watered down are pretty good.”

“But hopefully, Conservative MLAs will resist the pressure and strike a blow for public health,” said Lanovaz. “If they don’t - workers in bars and casinos will continue to be poisoned by second hand smoke.”

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