Smoke-Free Ontario Act

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into effect on May 31, 2006. It:

• bans smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces as of May 31, 2006, including restaurants, bars, schools, private clubs, sports arenas, entertainment venues, work vehicles and offices. It also bans smoking on any outdoor patio covered by a roof made of any type of material (wood, canvas, concrete, etc).
• toughens laws and fines on tobacco sales to minors.
• restricts the display of tobacco products in retail outlets, with a complete ban on powerwall displays of tobacco products by May 31, 2008. For more on powerwalls click here.

For a more detailed look at the Smoke-Free Ontario Act click here.

• Employers and Employees
• Multi-unit Residences
• Childcare Services
• Bars and Restaurants
• Retailers
• Hospitals
• Home Healthcare Workers
• Schools
• Hotels, Motels and Inns
• Enclosed Public Spaces
• Smoking in Cars with Children

Tobacco retailers, here is a list of frequently asked questions about selling tobacco products.

Learn more about smoking on school property.

For more information about the law or to register a complaint about a business or workplace not in compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 and a Tobacco Enforcement Officer will follow up.

Why Focus on Tobacco?

• Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable deaths in Ontario, killing more than 16,000 Ontarians every year.

Tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario economy at least $1.7 billion for health care annually.

More information can be found by clicking on the Government of Ontario links below:

• Smoking Trends in Ontario
• Health Effects of Smoking
• Health Effects of Second-Hand Smoke
• Costs of Tobacco Use and Tax Revenues
• Designated Smoking Rooms
• Point-of-Sale