Smoke-Free Legislation

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act is designed to protect all Ontarians from secondhand smoke - whether they are smokers themselves or not. Basically, the Act makes it illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces and public places as of May 31, 2006.¹

The Act also covers a range of other topics such as designated smoking rooms, stipulates rules concerning smoking shelters, prevents the promotion of tobacco products in entertainment venues, makes it more difficult to sell tobacco to minors, and protects home health care workers from secondhand smoke. ¹

Basically, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act drastically reduces the number of people exposed to secondhand smoke; thereby creating a healthier environment for all Ontarians.

The Timiskaming Health Unit is mandated to enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario regulations.

To view the Smoke-Free Ontario Act In Brief click below:

• Smoke-Free Ontario Act in Brief

To view the entire Smoke-Free Ontario Act click below and search for “Smoke-Free Ontario Act”.

• Smoke-Free Ontario Act  http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/  

The Tobacco Control Act (1994)²

• Prohibits the sale of tobacco in designated places such as hospitals and pharmacies.
• Mandates that packaging of cigarettes contain health warnings.
• Makes the sale of tobacco products to minors illegal.
• Bans cigarette vending machines.
• Bans smoking in certain public places, such as retail establishments, colleges or universities, day nurseries, bus shelters, or enclosed shopping malls.
• Prohibits the smoking of tobacco in a number of designated places including health care facilities, schools, the public areas of retail premises and video arcades.
• Does not address smoking in most workplaces, nor in hospitality venues like restaurants, bars, bingo halls, bowling alleys or billiard halls.

Health Protection and Promotion Act (1983)²

• The Health Protection and Promotion Act allows Medical Officers of Health for Ontario broad discretionary powers to protect community health, which includes the power to investigate and take appropriate action on complaints of occupational and environmental health hazards.

It is possible that Medical Officers of Health could use these enabling powers to declare tobacco smoke a health hazard and order its elimination from Ontario workplaces.

WebPage References

¹ Ministry of Health Promotion, Smoke-Free Ontario Act Legislation http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/health/smoke_free/legislation.asp Date accessed Oct 12, 2007

² Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco http://www.ocat.org/ Date accessed Oct 12, 2007