This is the first summer with the new rules under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act banning smoking on restaurant patios, within 20 meters of municipal-owned sports fields including spectator areas and within 20 meters of all playgrounds.The law helps protect children and youth from exposure to second-hand smoke and assists in stopping youth from starting to use tobacco.
“Sports fields and playgrounds are all about fresh air and being healthy,” says Emily Gole, a youth soccer participant. “Smoke-free means there is no second hand smoke or cigarette butts. It’s better for everyone.”
“Children are more likely to smoke if they see others smoking, especially adults. These smoke-free areas reduce children’s exposure to watching adults smoke and reinforce smoke-free as the norm,” said Alen Hawes, Tobacco Education and Enforcement Officer at the Grey Bruce Health Unit. “For those trying to quit or who have recently quit, smoke-free areas help to reduce the triggers that might lead to smoking.”
Tobacco use remains the number one preventable cause of death and disease in Canada. Preventing youth from starting to use tobacco and assisting those who do use it to quit are public health priorities. For information on the new regulations, signage and enforcement or to quitting smoking, call the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.