Both the Yukon Party and the Liberals have announced they will work with the NDP to pass its private member's bill to ban smoking in public places throughout the territory.

But the Yukon Party government says it wants to take it to public consultation first.

'Our government is committed to moving forward to address the issue of smoking in public places,' said Health Minister Brad Cathers. 'But it is important that we move forward in the right manner.'

Cathers has put out a press release, and tabled a motion in the legislative assembly, asking the opposition to form an all-party committee to go on a tour of the territory to look at options on banning smoking.

'We're offering a select committee of equal standing to go out into the public and finalize what will be a smoking ban piece of legislation for Yukon,' said Premier Dennis Fentie.

The consultations shouldn't take too long, said Fentie, and are a must to ensure Yukon communities are heard.

'I'm encouraged by it, but I'm also very disappointed,' NDP Leader Todd Hardy said of the government's reaction.

'We don't need more consultation on this one. This is a slam-dunk bill that we're bringing forward.'

The NDP presented the proposed legislation to the public last week at a press conference. The event attracted vocal support from the Association of Yukon Communities, Yukon Registered Nurses Association, Yukon Federation of Labour, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce.

Mirrored from similar legislation in Nova Scotia, the nine-page Smoke-Free Places Act states no person shall smoke in any enclosed place that includes government buildings and vehicles, the correctional centre, day cares, schools, libraries, churches, health care facilities, movie theatres, pool halls, community halls, stores, restaurants and bars.

Hardy said he would like to see the legislation passed now and for consultations to go out later on the actual regulations attached to it.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell agreed the government appears to be stalling on the legislation.

MLAs can't be travelling around the territory while the house is sitting, said Mitchell. As well, by the time the assembly rises in June, many Yukoners will be busy with other activities and not interested in a consultation, he added.

Mitchell said he supports the legislation and agrees with the government that consultations should be done but they should be done now, by government officials, not the members of the assembly.

Liberal Health critic Eric Fairclough tabled a motion Monday asking the consultations begin immediately, conducted by officials and be concluded by Oct. 30.

With so many organizations onboard with the legislation, the government can no longer ignore it, said Mitchell.

Fentie maintains his government has not been ignoring smoking in the territory.

He said work has been done to make all government buildings smoke-free and put funding in education and prevention.

Many of the areas targeted in the NDP legislation are already non-smoking facilities, he added, but said he agreed with Hardy and applauds the party's efforts.

'We're going to move the Yukon so we're harmonized, or consistent, with the rest of Canada,' said Fentie.

'How we're going to do it is first and foremost, the public has to be able to engage and provide input into the decisions that impact or affect them.'