(Brampton) - On Thursday, March 29, 2001, Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel, officially launched the "Breathe in Smoke-Free Air" campaign at Regional Council. The public education campaign is intended to raise awareness about the benefits of smoke-free public places and workplaces, and educate the public on changes to the smoke-free by-laws.

Key aspects of the campaign include the Smoke-Free Peel Region Web site, smoke-free by-law information cards to be delivered to all households throughout Peel Region and newspaper advertisements.

"Second-hand smoke is a complex mixture of over 4,000 chemicals, 42 of which are known to cause cancer and many others are strong irritants," said Dr. McKeown. "Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke have higher rates of respiratory illness, chronic ear infections and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."

In 1998, the local municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga endorsed the Medical Officer of Health's declaration that second-hand smoke is a serious health hazard and amended existing by-laws to require that all public places and workplaces be smoke-free by 2001.

"The Smoke-Free By-laws demonstrate the leadership and partnership between Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, and the Region of Peel," said Emil Kolb, Regional Chair. "This collaborative effort will create a healthier community in which to live and work."

The next phase of the smoke-free by-laws will be implemented June 1, 2001. On this date, restaurants, banquet halls, food courts and the food areas of recreational facilities in Peel Region will become smoke-free or provide an enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room.

For more information on smoke-free by-laws, visit www.smokefree-peelregion.ca or call Health Line Peel at 905-799-7700.

The Region of Peel, the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, as well as York Region and Toronto have joined forces to promote the smoke-free by-laws within the Greater Toronto Area.