December 3, 2007

THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Northwestern Health Unit are enhancing their efforts to keep tobacco products out of the hands of youth.  A new information tool created by the Not To Kids coalition and supported by Smoke Free Ontario is being delivered to all the tobacco vendors in the region.  The Not to Kids information binder will assist the vendors in meeting the sale and promotion requirements of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and to reduce tobacco sales to youth.

Tobacco Enforcement Officers have been making personal visits to all locations where tobacco products are sold and are delivering the Not To Kids information binder. The Not To Kids information can be used to train clerks to ensure that they do not sell tobacco products to someone under the age of 19 and it has been well received by vendors.

“Most people are familiar with the fact that the Smoke Free Ontario Act requires all indoor workplaces and public spaces to be smoke-free but fewer people realize that the Act also covers the sale of tobacco products to youth under the age of 19 years old.” says Tobacco Enforcement Officer Klaus Larsen of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “And some vendors didn’t realize that chew and spit tobacco are also covered by the Act.”

On May 31, 2008 the rules regarding promotion of tobacco products will change and tobacco vendors will no longer be able to display them in their store where customers can see them. This change is intended to remove tobacco products from the view of children and youth and remove the temptation for smokers who have quit. “As a general rule most vendors understand the need to remove tobacco products from view and are supportive of protecting the little ones.” says Ken Ranta, Manager of Tobacco Control at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.  Both Health Units are hopeful that the display guidelines currently being developed by the province will be available to vendors in early 2008.

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