Smoking in Canada
Smoking in Canada is banned in indoor public spaces and workplaces (including restaurants, bars, and casinos), by all territories and provinces, and by the federal government. As of 2010, legislation banning smoking within each of these jurisdictions is mostly consistent, despite the separate development of legislation by each jurisdiction. Notable variations between the jurisdictions include: whether or not, and in what circumstances ventilated smoking rooms are permitted; whether or not, and up to what distance away from a building is smoking banned outside of a building; and, whether or not smoking is banned in private vehicles occupied by children.
Some municipalities have bylaws restricting smoking further than the applicable national legislation.
The federal government's smoking ban in workplaces and on common carriers applies only to the federal government and to federally regulated businesses, such as airports. Smoking rooms are not permitted.
Smoking bans
Alberta
Alberta banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces, including within 5 metres of doors, windows, and intakes, on 1 January 2008.[1] A "shower curtain" (or "powerwall") law requiring shop owners to keep tobacco sales out of sight was implemented 1 July 2008.[2] As of 1 January 2009, cigarette sales in Alberta have been banned in all stores containing a pharmacy as well as post-secondary institutions.[3] It is an offence for a minor to possess or consume tobacco products; violators are subject to a fine of up to $100.[4]
British Columbia
British Columbia banned smoking in all public spaces and workplaces including, as of March 2008,[5] within a 3 metre radius of doors, open windows and air intakes, 6 metres.[6] Additionally, all commercial displays of tobacco visible to people under the age of 19 was banned in public areas under the same legislation. As of March 2008, ventilated smoking rooms are only permitted in nursing homes and care facilities. The smoking ban does not apply to hotel rooms.
Manitoba
Manitoba banned smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public spaces on October 1, 2004. Specially ventilated rooms are not allowed in bars and restaurants.[7] A law banning retail displays of tobacco and heavily restricting promotion and advertising of tobacco and tobacco-related products came into effect on October 15, 2005.[8] An act banning smoking in vehicles when children under 16 are present became law July 15, 2010 and applies to all lighted tobacco products. [9]
New Brunswick
New Brunswick banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces in October 2004. Ventilated smoking rooms are not permitted. Since 1 January 2009, tobacco products cannot be displayed prominently in stores. Since 1 January 2010. the ban was expanded to include vehicles with children under 16 present.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces in 2005, under the province's Smoke-Free Environment Act. Ventilated smoking rooms are permitted.[10]
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces on 1 December 2006. Ventilated smoking rooms are permitted in nursing homes and care facilities. Tobacco products cannot be displayed prominently in stores.[11] On 1 April 2008, smoking in a car with passengers under 9 inside became illegal.[12] Minors are prohibited from possessing tobacco products.[4]
Ontario
Ontario banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces in 2004.[11] In 2008, a ban on retail displays of tobacco was implemented. Since 21 January 2009, smoking is banned in all vehicles if anyone under the age of 16 is present. In Ottawa, on Feb 22, 2012, a bylaw came into effect in which smoking is prohibited on all municipal properties, including parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields, fruit and vegetable markets and outdoor areas around City facilities; and Outdoor restaurant and bar patios and terraces. Enforcement will commence on July 2, 2012, resulting in a fine of up to $300.
Hamilton banned smoking on all municipal properties, including parks, playgrounds, beaches, sports fields on May 31, 2012. Any person who contravenes a provision of this By-law is guilty of an offence and upon conviction is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.00.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces in 2003. Ventilated smoking rooms are only allowed in long-term care facilities.
Quebec
Quebec banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces on 31 May 2006.[11] The province eliminated designated smoking rooms in 2008.[13]
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan banned smoking in public places on 1 January 2005 and banned smoking in workplaces on 31 May 2009. The province reinstated 'shower curtain law' (2005) requires shop owners to keep tobacco sales out of sight. There are fines of up to $10 000 for violation of the Tobacco Control Act which bans smoking in all public areas, indoor and outdoor, including clubs for veterans.[11] Since 1 October 2010, smoking is prohibited if there are children under 16 years of age in the vehicle.[14]
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories banned smoking in public places and workplaces on 1 May 2004.[15]
Nunavut
Nunavut banned smoking in public spaces and workplace, including within three metres of entrances and exits to those buildings, on 1 May 2004.[16]
Yukon
The Yukon banned smoking in public spaces and workplaces on 15 May 2008. It was the last of the provinces and territories to implement a ban.
See also
- Smoking cessation programs in Canada
- Tobacco-Free Pharmacies in Canada
References
- ↑ Smoke Free Alberta | News & Information
- ↑ http://www.smokefreealberta.com/news__information/bill_45.html
- ↑ http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/12/23/7834776-sun.html
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Barbara von Tigerstrom, "Public Health" in Jocelyn Downie et al., eds., Canadian Health Law and Policy (Canada: LexisNexis, 2007) at 502.
- ↑ http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/tobacco/quickguide.html
- ↑ TOBACCO-FREE - Ministry of Health, Province of British Columbia, Canada
- ↑ Non-Smokers Health Protection Act Manitoba
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ SNL2005 CHAPTER S-16.2 - SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT ACT, 2005
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 In Depth: Smoking CBC News
- ↑ Nova Scotia bans smoking in cars with children as of April 1 21 March 2008
- ↑ http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/res/news-nouvelles/ban-interdiction-public-eng.php
- ↑ CBC News
- ↑ Canada - no-smoke.org
- ↑ Public Smoking Bans by Province and Territory - Factsheets
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