On December 6, 2014, the buying of sex services becomes illegal in Canada. Many voices claim that this will drive the sex industry underground, the industry will be less safe, and more women will be at risk of assault and murder.

Canada has had decades of history where the buying, selling, and advertising of sex services was legal. In those decades there have been youth and adults, primarily women, who have been murdered in every city of this country. In Edmonton, there have been 37 known murders since counting began in 1988.

Many hope that Bill C-36, coupled with investment in social services and public awareness campaigns, will help decrease violence, exploitation, and stigma. There will be a five year review. Proponents say it’s worth trying.

We can look to Ireland for examples of implementing complex social change. In 2004, the Republic banned smoking in pubs and other workplaces. There was an outcry that pubs would lose money and there was fierce lobbying by tobacco companies. BBC News stated, “You tamper with pub culture at your peril.” A ten year review reports 93% public support, including 80% of smokers and a 33% reduction in the smoking rate.

Alberta followed with a smoking ban in all public places and workplaces in 2009. More changes were announced in November of 2014 to discourage youth from starting to smoke and to protect children in cars. We all breathe the same air. There is proof that smoking and second-hand smoke is harmful to health and costly to society. Like these tobacco cessation strategies, Bill C-36 is about changing norms through laws, polices, awareness, and services.

The advertising of sex services is also impacted by the new law. Who stands to lose money? Advertising businesses like the Yellow Pages and Backpage. The AIM Group only tracks Backpage sex ads in 23 of the 394 U.S. cities where Backpage provides localized sites. In their April 2013 report, they cite that February ads for escort and body-rub generated over $4.2 million, up 57.7% from February 2012. This is big business. There are strong vested interests in the sex industry that benefit at the expense of others. The new law seeks to curtail profiteering and exploitation.

In October of 2014, Northern Ireland passed the first stage of legislation to make the buying of sex services illegal. The intent is to decrease sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Given the history of conflict in Northern Ireland, it was amazing that both the Sinn Fein Party and the Democratic Unionist Party voted in favour. Only the Alliance Party opposed. The Bill passed 81 to 10. The Republic of Ireland and Great Britain are considering similar legislation. Canada is not alone.

Kate Quinn is the Executive Director of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE).