New regional Smoking and Vaping By-law now in effect

Whitby, Ontario – A new regional Smoking and Vaping By-law, regulating smoking and vaping of tobacco, vapour products and cannabis in public places and the workplace, has been approved and is now in effect. The previous Smoke-Free By-Law, which regulated smoking in public places and the workplace, has now been revoked.

The new regional Smoking and Vaping By-law addresses smoking and vaping of any substance intended to be inhaled including nicotine, cannabis and medical cannabis, as well as the smoking or vaping of cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, vape pens or e-cigarettes, hookahs, cannabis, medicinal cannabis, or any other lighted or heated smoking product while in a public place or workplace. Expanding on the list of prohibited places as outlined in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017), the new regional by-law also bans the act of smoking or vaping of all products in workplaces and public places as defined in the by-law. This includes, but is not limited to, specialty vapour product retailers, hookah and vape lounges, customer service lines whether indoors or outdoors, post-secondary institution property and municipal property.

In the coming weeks, Durham Region Health Department will be working with community partners to provide education and increase public awareness of the new regional by-law requirements for area residents and all affected workplaces. Also, tobacco enforcement officers from the Health Department will be using a graduated enforcement strategy when conducting inspections and investigating complaints in prohibited places, as well as workplaces, to ensure compliance with the new by-law. Any individual convicted of an offence under the new regional Smoking and Vaping By-law could be subject to a maximum fine of $5,000.

Furthermore, smoking and vaping will be prohibited within nine metres of all public entrances/exits at workplaces and public places, and within 20 metres of all public park properties in Durham Region.

“Each day in Ontario, tobacco kills more people than alcohol, illicit drugs, accidents, suicide and homicides combined,” said Ross MacEachern, Manager, Health Protection with the Health Department. “Even people who do not smoke or vape can be affected by the harmful impacts associated with tobacco, and the potentially harmful effects of other inhaled substances and vaping products, through exposure to second-hand or third-hand smoke or vapour.

“The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, combined with the new regional Smoking and Vaping By-Law, helps to provide area residents with an increased level of protection from both indoor and outdoor exposure to second-hand smoke or vape in public spaces, as well as protection for employees from exposure in the workplace.”

Research shows that cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals impacting almost every organ of the body, while contributing to chronic diseases such as cancers, heart and lung diseases, and other adverse health conditions. Limiting exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour from tobacco and cannabis products can help to change perceived norms that smoking and vaping are both common-place and socially acceptable and can help to support those who have quit smoking.

For more information on the new regional Smoking and Vaping By-law or the SFOA, 2017, please call the Health Department’s Environmental Help Line at 905-723-3818 or 1-888-777-9613, or visit durham.ca.

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For more information, please contact Health Department.