Where There's Smoke

Where There's Smoke looks at one of Canada's most contentious public health issues. The voices come from the heart of tobacco country, in southern Ontario. Once a prosperous crop for the region, the "golden leaf" is known to cause the death of some 45,000 Canadians every year, and health groups cite the alarming increase in cancer and teen smoking.

The powerful anti-tobacco lobby has set its sights on the town council of Norfolk County, which is pushing for a ban on smoking in public facilities. As decision day approaches, all eyes are on the feisty mayor to break a tie vote. Woven throughout is the poignant story of Heather Crowe, a non-smoiking waitress diagnosed with lung cancer caused by second-hand smoke. As the war over tobacco regulation heats up, this insightful documentary provides a report from the front lines.