April 19, 2006

In less than 45 days, district businesses that still permit smoking inside their premises will need to make changes in their operating standards. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act comes into effect on May 31st.

The townships around the City of Thunder Bay and the unorganized communities with no by-law will see an extensive impact.  There will be significant impact on municipalities such as Greenstone, Marathon, Nipigon, Red Rock, Schreiber and Terrace Bay that already have a “silver standard” smoke-free by-law. That standard banned smoking for places where children under 16 were allowed, but still allowed smoking in some worksites. 

Today, Simon Hoad, Area Coordinator for Tobacco Control Area Network at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, outlined those changes with business owners in Marathon. “The Smoke-Free Ontario Act means that, finally, we have achieved a uniform standard of protection for all district of Thunder Bay residents.  This is a good news story," said Hoad, "Smokers are still welcome everywhere. It's just the smoke that's not."

As the countdown to May 31st continues, the Health Unit will provide information kits and resources for all affected businesses in our district.

The Smoke Free Ontario Act has precise obligations on both employers and employees to proactively create a smoke-free workplace.  Employers must post the appropriate non-smoking signage, inform their staff about the new legislation, remove ashtrays and make sure their staff do not smoke on the premises.   There is a special protection for any employee that is following the Smoke Free Ontario Act and experiences any workplace harassment. The Act also provides much greater restrictions on the retail promotion of tobacco products, with a complete display ban coming into effect on May 31st, 2008.

-30-