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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-11-30, Page 2020 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, November 30, 2011 Smoke free outdoor spaces discussed at public meeting Lynda Hillman-Rapley Lakeshore Advance There is no safe level of second-hand smoke - even out- doors, said Donna Schnmidtmeyer, supervisor of the Ontario Tobacco Stragegy through the County of IAunbton at a public information last week at the Grand Bend Community 1 lealth Centre (CHC). Many people had personal reasons to weigh in about Lambton County's proposed smoke-free public outdoor spaces bylaw. Lambton County's Community 1 lealth Services Department held seven public consultations to gauge public opinion about a smoking ban for municipally owned and operated spaces, such as playgrounds, beaches and outside arenas. Grand Bend's was the last of the seven. Finding young people at a public meeting isn't the first thing you'd expect on a Thursday evening in Grand Bend. But, 17 year old Jordan Alexander from Sarnia wants to get his message out. He says when he started high school the first thing he saw was a "smoking section" in the front of the school and that- he says is a problem. "New kids want to be accepted and thought of as cool with the senior kids. The smoking section is a place to Latch onto that popularity. 'That area needs to be taken away as does that same section at concerts." Alexander said that social normal allows kids to make choices that in the end are not good. Cindy Maxfield, Grand Bend Commmunity Health ATTENTION READERS Take advantage of our pricing for NAPPY NOTES Includes: Birthdays, Anniversaries Weddings, Engagements, Graduations etc. Actual Size: Pre -Payment is Required Just bring in your photo & write-up and well do the rest. Other Sizes 8 Prices available upon request. 58 Ontario St., N. Grand Bend (519) 238-5383 Centre's (CII(;) health promoter said every time a new by-law comes out, it snakes it easier for the health centre to help people quit or cut down. She encourages this by-law. A box was set up at the (;I IC for people to voice their concerns and Maxfield said 40 people submitted cards that support the by-law. She said they have also taken out the ashtrays that were available outside the C1 IC. Kathy Campbell, spoke at the Grand Bend CII(: on behalf of the Lambton County Canadian Cancer Society. She spoke passionately about the proposed bylaw sayiong this organization is a strong advocate of the need to take smoking out of public spaces. "'Today I'm here to emphasize the need for smoke-free outdoor spaces in Sarnia-Lambton," she told the crowd Woodstock already there The City of Woodstock, Ontario created a comprehensive outdoor smoke-free ordinance (OSFO) that came into effect on September 1, 2008. This by-law restricted or banned smoking in 5 different outdoor environ- ments owned or regulated by the city including patios on downtown sidewalk cafes, parks and recreational fields, areas around transit stops and shelters, and doorways of city run facilities such as city hall. 'Ihe by-law also created two schedules to further regulate stnoking in other outdoor environments if elected by citizens in the community; one for non -city -owned properties such as private business to regulate smoking in their doorway environments and a second schedule for outdoor events '� IGION� BRANCH 498. GRAND BEND BINGO Tuesday - 7pm MEAT DRAWS Friday - 5pm-7pm ENTERTAINMENT Saturday, December 3rd, 3-6pm "D.J. BARRY SHEPPARD" NEW YEARS EVE 11CKE1S NOW ON SALE $25.00 Each Includes: Party Favours Lite Meal Entertainment by: "THE PERSUADERS Reserve seating tickets available at the bar. "You're only a stranger here once." EVERYONE WELCOME HALL RENTALS Call: Sharon 519-238-6865 organized by groups in the community. 'Ihe schedules allowed council to pass a by-law that could easily regulate and enforce additional smoke-free environ- ments, as requested by citizens, without the need for council approval. RESULTS: After the Woodstock outdoor smoking restrictions had been in place for approximately 1 year, most respondents from the general popula- tion survey, smokers, (71%), and non- smokers (93%), supported or strongly supported the by-law. Most smokers (82%) and non-smokers (96%) agreed or strongly agreed that the by-law had been good for the health of the children of Woodstock. This past summer season, four of Grand Bend's outdoor patios went smoke free voluntarily. More than half of 817 polled Lambton residents support a ban for all public outdoor areas, according to the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System. More than 87% supported a non-smoking bylaw for both doorways to public places and workplaces. An outdoor smoking ban would affect municipal parks and playgrounds, buildings and surrounding property, trails, sports fields, beaches, campgrounds and marinas, a municipal golf course and long-term care homes. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, she noted. In 2010, 28,200 Ontarians died from cancer and another 65,100 were diagnosed. More than two million Ontarians still smoke. Residents can also register their opin- ions by emailing chsd@county-lamb- ton.on.ca, visiting lambtonhealth.on.ca or calling 519-344-2062, ext. 2206. Findings from the public consulta- tion period will be reported to council in early 2012. With files from Sarnia Observer HAPPY "SWEET" 16T" BIRTHDAY KAITLYN MASSE (December 2nd) LOVE: Mom, Dad, Laura, Dennis, Curtis, Weston, Leanne, Mike, Dakota & Miley Parkinson's support group to welcome home accessibility expert The Parkinson's Support Group of Goderich -Huron will have an expert, speak on making your home tr accessible at the next meeting of tics, group. Many of our members would like to stay in their own homes as long as possible but need advice on how to meet their present challenges and those yet to come. Craig Bentley is from Angel Accessibility Solutions, which serves Southwestern Ontario with Home Accessibility products, installation and service. Craig will offer homeowners advice on modifications which will allow peo- ple to stay ion their home longer, and provide equipment and installation to make this happen. [Angel Accessibility is a large provider of equipment for safe patient handling, and equipment sales to long care homes]. Many in the support group attended the recent Parkinson's Conference in London, and will share information gathered and advice found there. Some topics were managing falling and freezing, Parkinson's and genetics, vision affected by Parkinson's, driving with Parkinsons , maximizing your community resources and Income Tax Deductions. Time will be allowed for discussions following both these agenda items and refreshments will be offered as members are bringing Xmas cookies etc. The Parkinson's support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month from April to December at the Lawn Bowling Clubhouse at 110 Picton Street West in Goderich. The next meeting will be livid at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Every- one is welcome to attend these meet- ings. For further information about the Goderich-Huron Support Group, please contact Carol McDonnell at 519-523- 9715. New to Grand Bend and area? Had a New Baby? Getting Married? First Time Grandparents? !- Starting a Business? Be sure to call... VCOME* AGON,m naoa 1930 Faye Van Oss 519-238-8048 1-866.873-9941 Welcome Wagon has free gifts and information on behalf of (hand Bend & area businesses. www.wcicomewagon.ca