The Basics

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

Exemption—Aboriginal Peoples

Aboriginal residents of hospitals (public and private) and long-term care and psychiatric facilities have a right to use tobacco for traditional cultural or spiritual purposes.

Responsibilities of Operators

• At the request of an Aboriginal resident, the operator must set aside an indoor area for the resident to use tobacco for traditional cultural or spiritual purposes.
• This area must be separate from any designated controlled smoking area.

Enforcement

Local public health units will carry out inspections and investigate complaints to enforce the act.

Penalties

• Any individual convicted of an offence under this section of the act could be subject to a maximum fine of $4,000. Any corporation convicted of an offence under this section of the act could be subject to a maximum fine of $10,000.

******

This fact sheet is intended as a quick reference only. For more information, please contact your local public health unit. To find the public health unit in your area, go to http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/contact/phu/phuloc_mn.html.

You may also obtain information by calling toll-free:

INFOline 1-866-396-1760
TTY 1-800-387-5559

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

 

| Back to Stakeholders Information |