Health Unit to reduce smoking on school property

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Media Release

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The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has been working with the four local school boards to enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario Act on school property. From September to December, the health unit has laid 16 charges on school property under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, it is against the law to smoke or hold lighted tobacco anywhere on school property. The Act applies to everyone: students, staff, parents, and visitors to school property. It is in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and includes all school buildings, parking lots, cars in parking lots, and sports fields. Therefore, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act also applies if you are on school property to play sports or watch your children play sports after hours, weekends or in the summer. The fine for having lit tobacco on school property is $305.00.

"Tobacco use among our youth continues to be a serious health concern, and we know that smoking rates among Northern Ontario youth are significantly higher than those of the province," said Tom Zink, manager of the Tobacco Control Unit at the health unit. "We feel that continuing to prevent smoking on school property will help our youth make the decision to quit smoking or never start."

In January 2006, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the four boards of education, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Near North District School Board and Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board. The MOU addresses the issues of smoking on school property and the reduction of smoking among students.

The Health Unit is also working with local high schools to educate youth about smoking. Each high school within the North Bay Parry Sound district is eligible to apply to the health unit for up to $1,000 for youth-led smoking-related initiatives. This funding is part of the Government of Ontario’s Smoke-Free Ontario strategy.

For more information about smoking on school property or the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, please call the Health Unit at 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808

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