ADDICTS CLUB FUMING OVER FINE

EDMONTON -- A recovering-addicts club has been slapped with a fine
under Edmonton's anti-smoking bylaw, drawing howls of anger from the
mayor and the head of the support group.

Mayor Bill Smith said bylaw officials were too quick with the tickets
given the fact that the club is seeking a liquor licence that would
allow members to continue puffing.

"I'm really disappointed in hearing that (the club was ticketed
yesterday)," the mayor said shortly after the Keep It Simple
Addictions Recovery Foundation was fined $500.

Smith said the city should have put enforcement measures against the
club on hold until the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission decides
whether the sober club will get a liquor licence, which would exempt
it from the city's smoking rules.

City bylaw enforcement director David Aitken said his office did give
the club a brief reprieve from enforcement while members talked with
city officials to see if there was a way around the problem.

"All I know is that the bylaw has been passed, and we're treating KIS
Club no differently than any other club in Edmonton."

Two smoking-bylaw tickets for $250 each were issued against KIS Club
executive director Lawrence Lathe for having ashtrays in the club and
for allowing smoking in a place where smoking is prohibited.

Lathe said he had hoped the city would give the club more time to sort
out its options before issuing the tickets.

"We're really hoping the city can do something about this before we
have to get a liquor licence for a sober club," he said.

Lathe intends to fight the tickets in court.