Residents encouraged to report illegal smoking

A healthy, smoke-free workplace is a right.

With the new year comes a new crackdown on illegal smoking in local workplaces and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (KKPR) District Health Unit is asking residents to help extinguish the problem by reporting any unlawful smoking activity.

"A healthy, smoke-free workplace is your right, and your call," said Kris Kadwell, tobacco control officer with the Health Unit. "Not only is smoking a health hazard, it can also be a safety issue in your workplace. So if you see smoking in your workplace, report it."

Smoking in all enclosed workplaces in Ontario has been banned since May 2006 under the Smoke Free Ontario Act. The legislation applies to all lobbies, washrooms, parking garages and vehicles such as delivery trucks and taxis that are used by employees.

In the past nine months, the health unit has laid six charges against local workplaces for allowing smoking in prohibited areas and investigated several complaints. In some cases the smoking occurred in washrooms or warehouses and, on occasion, the biggest offender was the boss or owner of the establishment.

"No one is above the law, including a business owner," Mr. Kadwell adds.

"If anything, bosses and managers should lead by example and set the tone to ensure their employees are protected from deadly second-hand smoke. Ultimately, bosses and managers are responsible for ensuring a workplace is smoke-free. If they don't do it, they could be charged and face paying a fine."

According to the Health Unit, cigarettes contain 4,000 chemicals, at least 40 of which are known to cause cancer. Second-hand smoke is a leading cause of death in Canada, and can lead to many health problems.

"We have health and safety laws to protect people from unsafe work environments where there are toxic chemicals," said Lorne Jordan, a tobacco control officer with the Health Unit. "We also have a law that protects employees from toxic second-hand smoke, and we are asking people's help to ensure that workplaces respect and follow the rules."

Health Unit staff can assist workplaces in complying with the Smoke Free Ontario Act and will also investigate complaints. Breaking the law can result in a $305 fine for the first offence, with maximum fines for individuals or corporations reaching as much as $5,000.

For more information, or to report illegal smoking, call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577. All calls and complaints are confidential.