HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-12-22, Page 9THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Dec. 22. 2004-9
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SMOKE
FREE
c)NTARIO
STOPPING THE NUMBER ONE
KILLER IN ONTARIO
Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
is the number one preventable killer in Ontario today.
The Government of Ontario has introduced a bill that would make
all workplaces and enclosed public places smoke free.
The government's proposed Smoke -Free Ontario Act
would take effect May 31, 2006.
We all pay for the costs of smoking
About 16,000 people die from smoking-related
illnesses every year in our province, including
many who do not smoke themselves.
Smoking and second-hand smoke have been
linked to many cancers, cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases. And the list is growing.
Patients with tobacco -related diseases occupy
more than 500,000 hospital days each year -
the equivalent of seven community hospitals.
The cost to Ontario is more than $1.7 billion
in healthcare costs and $2.6 billion in lost
productivity annually.
The Smoke -Free Ontario Act
The new legislation is part of the government's
comprehensive anti -tobacco strategy.
The proposed act would:
• ban smoking in all workplaces and enclosed
public places, such as restaurants, bars,
casinos, private clubs and work vehicles
• protect employees who seek enforcement
of the workplace smoking ban from
retaliation by employers
• eliminate designated smoking rooms
• limit the sale, distribution and use of tobacco
products, including stricter measures to
ensure only those 19 years of age and older
can buy cigarettes.
Paid for by the Government of Ontario.
The proposed act does not extend the smoking
ban to private dwellings, with the exception
of licensed private home day care. Operators
of residential care facilities and hotels would
have the option of allowing smoking in these
residential settings.
Identifying our programs and
partnerships
The government is partnering with many
organizations such as the Heart and
Stroke Foundation of Ontario, The Lung
Association and the Canadian Cancer Society in
a united effort to help create a smoke-free Ontario.
This will include initiatives to help prevent youth
from starting to smoke and help smokers quit,
for example, Smokers' Helpline, 1-877-513-5333.
You'll be able to recognize these programs
and partnerships by the new Smoke -Free
Ontario logo that will appear in advertising and
promotional materials.
A smoke-free Ontario means
a healthier Ontario
For more information:
Call our INFOline at 1-877-234-4343
TTY: 1-800-387-5559
Visit: www.health.gov.on.ca and
HealthyOntario. com