Smoke-Free Ontario Act
Smoking on School Property
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking, and the holding of lit tobacco, on school property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The prohibition applies to students, school staff, visitors and members of the community alike.
- Protect Ontarians from involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke
- Help Ontarians quit smoking
- Prevent children and youth from starting to smoke
Under the legislation, school administrators are responsible for:
- Posting No Smokingsigns at all entrances, exits, washrooms, and other appropriate locations.
- Educating employees, students and visitors of the smoking prohibitions.
- Taking reasonable steps to ensure that employees, students and members of the public do not smoke on school property.
School administrators may complete and fax a Smoke-Free Ontario Act Witness Report (PDF 33KB)), requesting enforcement action be taken against violators.
The Ministry of Health Promotion has a helpful Fact Sheet entitled Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2005: How the Act Affects School (PDF 56KB).Reference:
Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport. (May 2007). How the Act Affects You > Schools.
Retrieved from http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/smoke-free/factsheets/schools.asp.
Selling/Supplying Tobacco
Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act it is illegal to sell or supply tobacco to a person less than 19 years of age. Any person aware of a store, or person, selling/supplying tobacco to a person under 19 years of age is encouraged to notify Peel Public Health at (905) 799-7700.
Enforcement
The Region of Peel Public Health department will carry out inspections, and investigate complaints regarding non-compliance, in order to enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
Secondary schools in Peel Region will be inspected a minimum of once per year, by a Region of Peel tobacco enforcement officer. Elementary schools will be inspected approximately once every two years.
The tobacco enforcement officer will provide each school with education on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and will ensure that the school is operating in accordance with the legislation.
Tobacco enforcement officers, carry photo identification from the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport identifying them as a Provincial Offences Officer for purposes of enforcing the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
School Resources
- Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2005: How the Act Affects School (PDF 56KB).
- Smoke-Free Ontario Act Witness Report (PDF 33KB),
- Poster: 365 Reasons Not to Give Your Friend a Smoke
- No Smoking on School Property signs
- Not to Kids Coalition Website: nottokids.ca
- Smoke-Free Ontario Act and Regulation 48/06: http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/smoke-free/legislation/default.asp
[ Top ]
