News Release                   For Immediate Release

June 1, 2004

Ruling on Smoke-Free Bylaw Disappointing

GREY COUNTY -- Justice of the Peace A. Rodney delivered her judgement today regarding Summit Place’s legal challenge to Grey County’s smoke-free bylaw.  In her ruling, Justice Rodney supported Summit Place’s challenge, ruling that Summit Place is a “private residence” and therefore clients are permitted to smoke in a designated smoking room.

This ruling is disappointing and discouraging for those working to achieve a healthier community. “Most of us will suffer and die from illnesses that are caused or aggravated by tobacco smoke,” says Medical Officer of Health Hazel Lynn.  “This ruling does nothing to protect our vulnerable elderly folk from this health hazard and it also puts the health care staff working in the facilities at risk from the inevitable exposure.  Long-term care facilities have been under public scrutiny in the past months; this ruling will not help change the general impression that the elderly are not valued in our society and the health care professionals looking after them are not as important as those looking after younger people,” says Dr. Lynn.

The intent of Grey County’s smoke-free bylaw is to protect Grey County residents from second-hand smoke.  Staff at Public Health hope that the pending provincial tobacco legislation will reinforce this purpose, thereby encouraging a healthy community.

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For more information:

Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

(519) 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456