Starting today it is illegal to smoke on or around children’s playgrounds, publicly owned sport fields and surfaces and bar and restaurant patios in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is hoped that these measures will help smokers quit while protecting others from second-hand smoke.
New ‘No Smoking’ signs are required at all entrances, exits and washrooms. Businesses are also required to enforce the laws making sure that no one smokes or holds lighted tobacco in an enclosed workplace, public place, or area where smoking is banned. Ashtrays are also required to be removed from these areas. Inspectors from local public health units will be carrying out inspections and enforcing the new rules.
Ontario has already made it illegal to use tobacco products in a motor vehicle with minors under the age of 16 inside, at child care centres and at enclosed workplaces. Smoking shelters that have more than two walls and a roof are also not allowed in Ontario. The one exception is for Canadian Legions that built patios prior to November 18, 2013 will be exempt.
University and college students will not be able to buy a pack of cigarette on campus anymore nor will restaurant patrons be able to smoke on patios.
Announced in November, the stronger laws went into effect on January 1.
It is estimated that 13,000 people a year die in Ontario as a result of smoking and a massive $2.2 billion is spent in health care costs in the province annually.
