The Smoke-Free Ontario Act

There are many places in Ontario where the public is protected from exposure to secondhand smoke and vapour from cigarettes, cannabis, and e-cigarettes (vapes).

Some examples of the outdoor places protected by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) include:

• school property (and public areas within 20 metres of the school’s grounds),
• patios at restaurants and bars, and the public areas within 9 metres of the patio,
• children’s playgrounds and the public areas within 20 metres of children’s playgrounds,
• community recreation centres and arenas, and any public areas within 20 metres of its grounds, and,
• publicly owned sports fields and spectator viewing areas, and the public areas within 20 metres of these places.

There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and nicotine greatly impacts children and youth’s developing brains making the enforcement of the SFOA so important.

The Air is Shared

Nicotine impacts the development of the teenage brain, affecting learning, memory, and concentration. Some e-liquids or ‘juice’ used in vapour products contain as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.

Evidence also shows that youth who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. Likewise, the research is clear that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour, making compliance with the SFOA even more important when it comes to protecting youth.

E-cigarettes, e-liquid and cartridges/pods in Canada are controlled by federal and provincial restrictions. More measures are being put in place to protect youth as we learn more about e-cigarettes, including that they are NOT as harmless as the industry would have us believe.

Fines for people caught smoking or vaping on arena properties are $305.

Resources for parents and teachers are available at notanexperiment.ca