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Council won't help alcoholic club smoke

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 9, 2003 | 9:37 AM MT

CBC News

City council has decided it won't find a way for a club catering to recovering alcoholics to allow smoking.

The Keep it Simple club provides a bar-like atmosphere for its patrons, but without the alcohol. Under the city's new no-smoking bylaw, the only way their customers could smoke on the premises was if the club got a liquor licence, since smoking is still allowed in bars.

However, the club was refused a licence because it had no intention of actually serving alcohol. And the club's directors say it would go against their principles to have one.

After publicity, and a vote of support for the club from Premier Ralph Klein, city council said it would take a look at the unique situation. On Monday, council voted against giving the club an exemption.

From Aug. 21, 2003: Klein backs smoking in club for alcoholics

"This is just going to open the door and it's going to open it a lot wider than this one particular group, and we would be creating a lot of trouble for ourselves and others affected by the smoking bylaw," Coun. Ron Hayter said in voting against an exemption.

City lawyers say it would be difficult to draft an exemption for one group, without allowing others the same consideration.

Lawrence Lathe, executive director of Keep it Simple, says many of their customers smoke and it would be difficult for them to try to battle two addictions at once.

Dave Carew, who has been off alcohol and crack for three months, says he comes to the club regularly to help himself stay clean and that worse laws are broken in the back alley across the street than smoking inside it.

"I watched their lighters light up, I'm a crack addict, I know what they're doing," he said, indicating a man in the alley. "They're sitting there, smoking crack, drinking beer.

"And yet they're after me because I want to clean up, and I want to smoke a cigarette here. Does that make sense to you?"

Lathe says the club plans to continue to allow its customers to smoke.

This story is now closed to commenting.

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