Health Unit Promotes Smoke-Free Summer

Stratford – Summer weather has arrived, which means local parks are filled with children playing and patios are packed with customers!

The Perth District Health Unit reminds all residents of the amendments that were made to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act in January 2015, which ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios. This law also makes it illegal to smoke within 20 metres of parks, playgrounds, sports fields and spectator areas on publicly-owned land.

These regulatory amendments ensure that all Ontario communities have the benefit of the same level of protection from exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco use.

Having smoke-free outdoor laws achieve many important tobacco-control goals, including:

protection from second-hand smoke

increased motivation for smokers to quit or cut back

decreased negative role modelling for children and youth

protect the environment and reduce litter.

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