Work vehicles must be smoke-free

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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Since the Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into effect on May 31, 2006 it has been illegal to smoke in any “enclosed workplace” including work vehicles. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit in partnership with the North East Tobacco Control Area Network (TCAN) is launching an education campaign to remind employers, workers and the public that a work vehicle, like any other workplace, must be smoke-free.

In Ontario, employers, workers and the public should expect a smoke-free environment in any work vehicle and be protected from all involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke. According to Health Canada, second-hand smoke is a known cause of cancer in humans and exposure to second-hand smoke causes more than 1,000 deaths per year in Canada. Second-hand smoke contains a mixture of nearly 4,000 chemicals and there is no safe amount of exposure.

“The Smoke-free Ontario Act not only helps protect workers and the public from exposure to second-hand smoke, but also prompts more smokers to quit,” says Melanie Simms, Community Health Promoter for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. Second-hand smoke is dangerous…it’s that simple.

For more information about smoking in work vehicles or to register a complaint, contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s Tobacco Information Line at (705) 474-1400 ext. 3 or 1-800-563-2808.

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