Peterborough Public Health Launches Smoke-Free Ontario Act Enforcement Campaign
Written by Comms Team, February 13, 2023
Tobacco Enforcement Officers to Focus on Reducing Youth Access to Tobacco and Vaping Products, and Protecting Against Second-hand Smoke and Vapour
Peterborough Public Health (PPH), in collaboration with public health units across Central East Ontario, are stepping up tobacco enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA).
The SFOA prohibits the sale of tobacco and vape products to anyone under the age of 19, restricts most flavours and high nicotine vape products to specialty stores, and prohibits the use of these products at schools and arenas, among other public places. Peterborough Public Health’s enforcement efforts will focus on compliance of the sale of tobacco and vape products as well as protecting smoke-free spaces, with the intention of reducing access and exposure to second-hand smoke for youth in our community.
“The SFOA is designed to protect youth from accessing highly addictive tobacco and vape products, while at the same time, creating healthy spaces, free from second-hand smoke and vapour,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health at PPH. “Despite the law, Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) are dealing with a surge in complaints and observing increased non-compliance for youth accessing flavoured, high nicotine vapes, and people smoking and vaping at local arenas.”
The most recent data from the Canadian Student Tobacco and Drug Survey (2018-2019) noted that e-cigarette prevalence rates have doubled among students in 2018-19 compared to use observed in 2016-17.
This trend is observed locally as well. “In 2022, we issued 26 SFOA warning to students in local schools,” said Katrina Ryall, Tobacco Enforcement Officer. “Of those warnings, 25 were for vaping in or on school property. During the same time frame, 10 charges were laid; 9 for vaping and only one for smoking – it’s clear that youth vaping is a problem locally.”
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.
“The principle of this campaign is simple,” said Ingram. “We want there to be compliance with the SFOA to protect youth from accessing these products, and ensure that everyone visiting an arena can do so without being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke and vapour. Kids walking into an arena should be focused on the sport they are about play – not be worried about the air they are breathing.”
In addition to reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and vapour, the SFOA is designed to reduce the normalization of smoking and vaping to youth. Research has linked the likelihood of youth experimenting with tobacco and vapour products to children seeing their role models use these products. Making sure that parents and coaches are not smoking or vaping at arenas is important to prevent use among youth.
In a recent blitz of local arenas, 19 warnings were issued for adults smoking on the property, and 2 warnings were issued for vaping on the property.
PPH is advising all tobacco and vapour product retailers, and people at local arenas, that TEOs will be conducting compliance inspections to ensure the requirements under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act are being followed.
Smoking or vaping on or within 20m of a school or arena property can result in a $305 charge.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Gill, Communications
705-743-1000 ext. 352