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Algoma Public Health prepares to buttsmack outdoor smokers

Heads up, smokers! Dr. Kimberley Barker, Algoma’s medical officer of health, is deploying her smoke-free footsoldiers in preparation for new smoking restrictions to take effect next month.

Heads up, smokers!

Dr. Kimberley Barker, Algoma’s medical officer of health, is deploying her smoke-free footsoldiers in preparation for new smoking restrictions to take effect next month.

On New Year’s Day, new provincial regulations will make it illegal to smoke near playgrounds and public playing fields and surfaces.

Smoking will also be prohibited on restaurant and bar patios, and tobacco sales will be banned at colleges and universities.

In a letter sent last week to Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano and members of City Council, Dr. Barker said her staff is delivering signage supporting the new tobacco controls to local bars and restaurants, answering questions and addressing any proprietor concerns.

Area municipalities and boards of works are also being visited and provided with signage for public parks and recreational fields.

Barker pointed out that there are problems with signs already posted in Sault Ste. Marie, White River, Blind River and Elliot Lake.

“The provincial legislation states you must be 20 metres from playground equipment and recreation fields and viewing areas, while existing bylaws state 15 metres,” Barker said.

“The existing signs, however, are much larger and more effective for communicating the restrictions to the public. We are therefore requesting these four municipalities and townships amend their bylaws to increase the distance to 20 metres to avoid public confusion and support the added messaging.”

She is currently working with a sign company to create a weather-resistant sticker that reads ’20 metres’ and can be placed over the 15-metre wording on existing signs.

The regulatory changes prohibit selling tobacco in any buildings owned and areas leased by postsecondary institutions and student unions, if they are used for educational programs, recreation activities or residential services.

“Currently, smoking is not permitted on covered or partially covered patios in Ontario,” says background information prepared by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. 

“Under the new regulations, smoking will be prohibited on all bar and restaurant outdoor patios. The only exemption under the new regulations is for uncovered patios that were established by a branch of the Royal Canadian Legion - Ontario Provincial Command prior to November 18, 2013,” said the backgrounder. 

As of January 1, smoking will be banned on and near areas designated for basketball, baseball, soccer and beach volleyball, as well as tennis courts, ice rinks, aquatic pools and splash pads that are owned by a municipal government, the Province of Ontario or a postsecondary education institution. 

“The prohibition includes sport fields, sport surfaces, spectator areas around sport fields and 20 metres surrounding these locations. It also includes playgrounds at hotels, motels and inns,” the health ministry materials said.

 “We applaud the government of Ontario for introducing these courageous new tobacco control measures that send a clear message that we need to continue to work together against the number one cause of preventable disease, death and cancer in this province,” said Rowena Pinto of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Ontario Division in a news release. 

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA) argues that restaurants with patios should be able to decide what’s best for their customers and their own business interest.

ORHMA opposes the new ban on patio smoking, arguing that “smokers will end up smoking on sidewalks, adjacent to the patios introducing second-hand smoke to passers-by who do not have a choice as they walk by as opposed to choosing which patio they should visit or not.”

“We strongly believe this smoking ban will impact hundreds of restaurants with patios in the many municipalities such as the City of Toronto including international tourism and associated events such as Toronto’s International Film Festival,” said ORHMA president Tony Elenis in a letter written earlier this year to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Numbers from the Ontario Ministry of Health show tobacco-related diseases claim 13,000 lives a year in Ontario, costing some $2.2 billion in direct health care costs.

They also are estimated to cost another $5.3 billion in indirect costs including reduced productivity.


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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