The Canadian Cancer Society applauds a controversial move by the Manitoba government to extend a ban on smoking in indoor public places to First Nation communities.

The organization, which tracks tobacco legislation across Canada, says the province is the only one that exempts reserves from provincial smoke-free legislation.

A bill before the Legislature proposes to remove the exemption for reserves and other areas of federal jurisdiction, including military bases.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says the province does not have the right to enforce its smoking ban unilaterally.