Smoke Free Ontario Act

Although it might seem strange to think of tobacco use as being related to school, it has been shown that youth are influenced by their peers, when it comes to using tobacco products. According to the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS), 85% of smokers started before the age of 18.

This fall The Smoke-Free Ontario Act School Blitz will be rolled out to schools across southwestern Ontario as a means to educate young people about the law related to smoking on school property. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act was implemented on May 31st, 2006 to protect the health of all Ontarians, especially young people. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking on school property, the sale or supply of tobacco products to a minor, and smoking in a vehicle with a passenger less than 16 years old. These laws apply to all staff, students and visitors on school property regardless of age, time of day, or time of year.

The tobacco industry spends an outrageous amount of money marketing their products and young people tend to engage in risk-taking behaviours. Unfortunately, experimenting with tobacco or other substances is often a part of adolescence. As a parent, if you find your child using tobacco, the best thin you can do is to support your child through a quit attempt and help them understand that nicotine is addictive. For more information about quitting tobacco contact the Windsor Essex County Health Unit at 519-258-2146 ext. 3100 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca