(Brampton) - Today's introduction of Smoke-Free Bylaws in the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon marks a major milestone in the efforts to make Peel region one of the healthiest communities in Canada. Similar health-focused by-laws have also been introduced in the City of Toronto and York Region.

"The coordinated Smoke-Free By-laws in Peel, Toronto and York bring a new standard in health protection to the residents of the GTA," stated Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. "These by-laws will help protect our children from second-hand smoke, which has been shown to increase their risk of respiratory illness, chronic ear infections and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."

Under the new by-laws, all restaurants, banquet halls, food courts and the food areas in recreational facilities in the Region of Peel must now be smoke-free or provide an enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room. No person under the age of 19 will be permitted in a bar or tavern in the Region.

"Research has proven that smoke-free public places not only reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, but also discourage young people from starting to smoke and support smokers who want to quit," continued Dr. McKeown.

The next stage of the by-laws in Peel will be implemented on June 1, 2004. On this date, billiard and bingo halls, casinos, bars, taverns and nightclubs must be smoke-free or provide an enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room.

For more information on Smoke-Free By-laws in Peel region, visit www.smokefree-peelregion.ca or call Health Line Peel at 905-799-7700.