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Huron Expositor, 2006-12-17, Page 19News The Huron rqn aimed for bylaw to combat second-hand smoke Jennifer Hubbard St. Anne's principal Chris Roehrig is looking to Central Huron council for help in reducing the exposure of local students to second-hand smoke. Roehrig said two factors — the province's Tobacco Control Act and unique geography — led to his writ- ten request for a bylaw "prohibiting smoking on sidewalks and roadways adjacent to school properties in the town of Clinton," which was received at Central Huron council's Nov 20 meeting. Specifically, the bylaw request addresses sidewalks adjacent to Clinton Public, Clinton and District Christian, St. Joseph's and St. Anne's schools. "While the new Ontario legislation related to the use of tobacco prod- ucts provides a positive framework for schools to continue to maintain safe and healthy grounds, it has unfortunately, served to create prob- lems whereby (high school students mainly) have begun to use side- walks and roadways adjacent to school yards, private property and school property as smoking areas," Roehrig said in his letter to council. "This byproduct of the new legisla- tion has resulted in increased expo- sure of our young people to second hand smoke." Combined, the provincial act and St. Anne's school policy, restrict smoking on school property and the sidewalk along the western border of the school. The area in question is the new extension of Princess Street, running between the Clinton Public and Clinton and District Christian schools, which has become a popular spot for student smokers. "We should not be example for other students in our area and it's our respon- sibility to ask council to con- sider a bylaw," Roehrig said. And while there hasn't been an influx of complaints by parents, princi- pals of the three setting a poor neighbouring schools are all in favour of the bylaw. "Our concern is that periodically throughout the day our students have to walk through areas where smoking is occurring," commented St. Joseph's principal, Jackie Simpson. "We hope something can be done to provide the best possible environ- ment for our students as they travel to and from school every day." Clinton Public principal Betty Beer added, it's simply about "encouraging our children to make good choices." After discussing it with the school board, CDCS principal Clarence Bos also supported the proposal. "It's not a huge concern, but if we can prevent it, we'll prevent it," he said. If approved, Roehrig hopes the bylaw will see his student smokers use the designated -smoking area on the eastern side of the school prop- erty. "It's supervised, which is a plus, and it's out of the view of all the stu- dents," he said, noting the number of student smokers at St. Anne's is on the decrease. "It's -not like it used to be. The number of regular student smokers here is steadily declining, but one is too many." Council forwarded Roehrig's letter to its Protection of Persons and Property committee, for considera- tion. Since the November meeting, the standing committees of council have been replaced by a day -long commit- tee of the whole meeting. Clerk -Administrator Richard Harding said Roehrig's request will likely be addressed on the Jan. 25 or Feb. 22 agendas. "We need to make determinations SV1 NCEN FARM EQUIPMENT SEAFORTH 519-527-0120 EXETER 519-235-2 www.teamvince CASE di as to where we have authority and where we don't have authority as a municipality and go from there," he added. The letter also instigated a discus- sion regarding enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act and concerns about smoking too closely to public buildings like the arena. Outgoing Coun. Darren Stevenson suggested council look into the pos- sibility of marking designated smoking areas on the pavement with paint. sitor • December 27, 2006 Page 19 KENNETH J. VAN RIESEN CFP CLU CH.F C. CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT ONO INTEROLOBE Financial Services Corp. kvanriesen@cablety on.ca 2006 N N U /-. Leather Sofas Compare of 9 399. 699°0 ss Sets Compare at '429.98 1 99 Sets Compore at '2599. Bar Stools Compare at '299. 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