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Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law

Overview for Staff

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As of September 2, 2013, the Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law makes it illegal for anyone to smoke outdoors in three areas:

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It is illegal to smoke:

• within a playground area OR

• within a nine metre radius of the perimeter of a playground area, including the surrounding safety surface

(e.g., swings, slides, climbing apparatuses, skateboard ramps)

1. Playground Areas

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It is illegal to smoke:

• within a sports/activity area OR

• within a nine metre radius of theperimeter of a sports/activity area

(e.g., swimming pool, splash pad, soccer field, tennis courts, spectator seating area)

2. Sports/Activity Areas

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It is illegal to smoke:

• within a nine metre radius of the entrances and exits of municipal buildings

(e.g., offices, community centres, ambulance stations, police stations, fire halls, public transit facilities and Peel Living multi-residential buildings with common entrances).

3. Entrances/Exits of Municipal Buildings

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The purpose of Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law is to protect staff and the public, specifically children, from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Why is there a by-law?

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Second-hand Smoke

• There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

• Second-hand smoke is what smokers exhale and what rises from lit tobacco.

• Smoke from lit cigarettes, cigars and pipes contain thousands of chemicals, many of which are toxic and cause cancer.

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Second-hand Smoke and Children

• Second-hand smoke is most harmful to children because their lungs are smaller and they breathe more quickly than adults.

• Children exposed to second-hand smoke are

more likely to develop asthma, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.

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Smoke-Free Ontario Act

• The Smoke-Free Ontario Act already prohibits smoking in some outdoor areas and holding/smoking of lit tobacco in enclosed public places/workplaces.

• However, the Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law goes beyond the current scope of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

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Enforcement

• Enforcement staff from each municipality and the Region of Peel can give tickets and fines to people who break the law.

• The fine for breaking the law can be from $250 to $5,000.

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Enforcement Signs

These enforcement signs will be posted in some areas in Peel:

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For support in quitting smoking:

• See your benefits plan

• Contact Smokers' Helpline: 1-877-513-5333 or SmokersHelpline.ca

• Speak to your health care professional (e.g., doctor, pharmacist)

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For more information:

• Visit SmokeFreePeelRegion.ca

• Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700

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On behalf of Peel Public Health, thank you for your support!