Effective September 2, 2013, the Region of Peel, in collaboration with the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and Town of Caledon, joins approximately 70 Ontario municipalities that have enacted outdoor smoking by-laws.
Second hand smoke is harmful to health and particularly harmful to children because they have smaller lungs and breathe in more second hand smoke per body weight than adults. Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at higher risk of breathing and other health-related problems.
“Peel’s outdoor smoking by-law will help protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke in places where they play. Residents will no longer have to walk through a cloud of tobacco smoke when they enter an arena, community centre or other municipal building,” said Dr. David Mowat, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel.
The following is a short summary of the specific places you are not allowed to smoke:
Within a nine metre (30 feet) radius of the entrances and exits of municipal buildings (e.g., municipal offices, community centres, ambulance stations, police stations, fire halls, public transit facilities and Peel Living multi-residential buildings with common entrances).
Playground areas or within a nine metre (30 feet) radius of the perimeter of a playground area (e.g., swings, slides, climbing apparatus, skateboard ramps), including the surrounding safety surface.
Within a sports/activity area or within a nine metre (30 feet) radius of the perimeter of a sports/activity area (e.g., swimming pool, splash pad, soccer field, tennis courts), including the spectator seating area.
Our compliance with the Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law will promote healthy workplaces in Peel.
Regional tobacco enforcement officers and municipal by-law officers can issue warnings, tickets and fines starting at $250 if the law is broken.
“Smoke-free places protect the health of the community while supporting smokers who want to quit,” continues Dr. Mowat. “Smokers who are motivated to quit can be successful with a supportive environment and a proven cessation method. It is never too late to quit smoking.”
A copy of the by-law is available at SmokeFreePeelRegion.ca For more information, contact Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. For information about quitting smoking, contact the Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or visit SmokersHelpline.ca
WHAT ABOUT SCHOOLS??