Attention News Editor:

News Feature                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                    For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                                     June 22, 2006

New Smoke-Free Ontario Signs Must be Posted!

New Smoke-Free Ontario No Smoking signs must be posted at all entrances, exits, washrooms and other appropriate locations in enclosed workplaces and public places. The new Smoke-Free Ontario Act requires employers, proprietors or persons in charge to post the signs to ensure everyone knows smoking is prohibited. The 10X10 cm signs show the trillium and Smoke-Free Ontario logos. The signs are available at no cost from municipal offices and the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

The Grey and Bruce County No Smoking By-laws are still in effect, these signs should remain posted. Smoke-Free Ontario signs are required in addition to the existing signs. All signs must be clearly visible and posted in a conspicuous manner.

As well as posting the required signage, employers, proprietors or persons in charge of workplaces and public places must:

• Ensure employees and the public are aware smoking is prohibited.

• Remove ashtrays and any object serving as one.

• Ensure employees/public do not smoke in enclosed workplaces and/or establishments.

• Ensure a person who does not comply does not remain in the enclosed workplace or public place.

Enclosed workplace means the inside of a building, structure or vehicle an employee works in or frequents during the course of their employment; whether or not they are acting in the course of their employment at the time. Examples of an enclosed workplace include the inside of a trailer office on a construction site, inside a loading dock, inside a taxi, or delivery truck and common areas such as washrooms, lobbies and parking garages. The ban on smoking in an enclosed workplace is in effect at all times including off-hours when people are not working.

Enclosed public places are defined the same way as workplaces and refer to places to which the public is ordinarily invited or permitted access. Employers and proprietors of hotels, motels and inns must place No Smoking signs in every guest room not designated as a smoking room.

Tobacco retailers must also post new Age Restriction and Health Warning and Government I.D. signs wherever tobacco is sold or supplied. The sign must be clearly visible to the person who sells or supplies the tobacco and to the person whom the tobacco is sold or supplied. Enforcement and Education Officers are visiting all tobacco retailers in Grey and Bruce to answer questions and provide the new signage.

An individual convicted under the section of the act for the protection of employees could be subject to a maximum fine of $4,000. A corporation convicted of an offence under this section of the act could face a maximum fine of $10,000. With respect to the employer/proprietor, an individual could be subject to a maximum fine of $5,000. There is no maximum fine for a corporation.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into force on May 31, 2006 to protect workers and the public from the hazards of second-hand smoke. The act prohibits smoking in enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places in Ontario.

For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. or the Ministry of Health Promotion website at

http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/health/smoke_free/legislation.asp.

For more information:

Linda Davies,

Tobacco Control Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 410