Health unit's tobacco team celebrates World No Tobacco Day

SIMCOE MUSKOKA - A year down the road, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act is proving its worth, say tobacco control officials with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

The act came into effect on World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2006. As that important international day approaches again, the health unit's tobacco team is celebrating the successes of the provincial legislation.

"We have experienced very broad community support for this legislation," said John Niddery tobacco program supervisor with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. "Businesses have by and large been very cooperative in complying with the regulations."

He also noted, however, that in the few cases where businesses needed to be brought into line, the Act provided the health unit with some highly effective enforcement tools.

The fine for a first offence of smoking in an enclosed public place or workplace is $305.

The first offence fine for sale or supply of tobacco to people under 19 years of age is $365. The maximum individual fine for these offences is $5,000.

This month Central Taxi of First Street, Midland, was convicted and fined $1,760 for failing to ensure compliance to the legislation in the workplace. An earlier inspection of the office found ashtrays had not been removed, and an employee was seen smoking in the office.

The legislation also controls the sale of tobacco products. When a business is convicted of selling to under-aged people twice within five years, it can result in an automatic prohibition that prevents the store from selling or storing any tobacco products for six months.

That has happened twice in the month of May. The Grace Centre Gas bar on Highway 11 North at Severn Bridge has a prohibition in place until November 8, while a prohibition until November 21 was imposed on John's Car Wash on Hume Street in Collingwood.

"Penalties like this should, we hope, send a strong message to the business community that the Smoke-Free Ontario Act needs to be followed," Niddery said.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act protects people from the deadly effects of secondhand smoke in public places and workplaces. Employers are responsible for posting no smoking signs, ensuring ashtrays are removed and prohibiting smoking in their workplace. The Act also prohibits the sale or supply of tobacco to persons under the age of 19 and requires tobacco vendors to check for proof of age before selling tobacco products.

Further information on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act can be found on the health unit's website at www.simcoemuskokahealth. org , or by calling Your Health Connection at 721- 7520,