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Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law Overview for Staff. As of September 2, 2013, the Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law makes it illegal for anyone to smoke outdoors in three areas:. 1. Playground Areas. It is illegal to smoke: within a playground area OR
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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:
1. Playground Areas 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)
2. Sports/Activity Areas It is illegal to smoke: • within a sports/activity area OR • within a nine metre radius of the perimeter of a sports/activity area (e.g., swimming pool, splash pad, soccer field, tennis courts, spectator seating area)
3. Entrances/Exits of Municipal Buildings 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).
Why is there a by-law? 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enforcement Signs These enforcement signs will be posted in some areas in Peel:
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)
For more information: • Visit SmokeFreePeelRegion.ca • Call Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700
On behalf of Peel Public Health, thank you for your support!