Smoke-Free Public Outdoor Spaces for Lambton County
This page was reviewed or revised on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 10:59 AM
Protecting Children - Creating a Healthy Environment
NEW - Smoke-Free Municipally Owned or Operated Outdoor Spaces Public Consultations in Lambton County - click here.
The Issues:
Why Smoke-free Public Outdoor Spaces?
- Protects people, especially children, from second-hand smoke.
- Promotes positive role modelling for children and youth.
- Eliminates cigarette butts that are poisonous to children, pets and wildlife.
- Reduces litter and protects the environment. Cigarette butts take up to 15 years to biodegrade.
- Encourages people who smoke to quit or cut back.
Lambton's Current Situation:
The Smoke-free Ontario Act protects individuals from second-hand smoke exposure in public indoor spaces. Protected outdoor spaces currently include school properties, licensed childcare settings and entrances to hospitals and long-term care facilities. The County of Lambton has adopted a policy that prohibits smoking within 9 m of entrances of any County owned or operated facility. Many local employers have implemented policies to restrict tobacco use in workplaces. In addition, over 60 municipalities in Ontario have passed a smoke-free outdoor public spaces by-law.
The Health Status of Lambton:
22.8% of Lambton residents, aged 12 years and older, reported being current daily or occasional smokers compared to the provincial rate of 18.9 % (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2009/10). Data also indicates that compared to Ontario, Lambton has a significantly higher incidence of asthma, COPD, arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease (A Healthy Sarnia-Lambton Community Picture Report, March 2011).
For more information on the health status of Lambton
A Healthy Sarnia-Lambton Community Picture Report, March 2011
Priority setting recommended actions and policy directions for Lambton County included the creation of smoke-free public places and outdoor areas including parks, sports fields and beaches, in addition to expanding smoke-free areas around entrance ways.
More information on:
- Youth Advocacy - Smoke-free Public Outdoor Spaces
- Public Support for Smoke-free Public Outdoor Spaces
- Smoke-free By-law Enforcement
- Lambton Tobacco Network
- Quitting Smoking and local programs and services to help you quit
NEW - Smoke-Free Public Outdoor Spaces Report, October 19, 2011
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- Funding for this non-profit website is provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the County of Lambton.
