News

SIMCOE, ON FEBRUARY 15th, 2018 The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU) would like to applaud the upcoming enactment of a Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces bylaw in Norfolk County.  The bylaw will help protect residents from second hand smoke above and beyond the baseline protection the Smoke-Free Ontario Act offers.

Starting May 1^st, 2018, the by-law will:

• Prohibit smoking within a 9 meter radius of any entrance or exit of a municipally owned, operated, or leased building such as: county offices, libraries, community centres, museums, etc.
• Prohibit smoking on all municipally owned or operated recreation property including: arenas, beaches, parks, sports fields, skate board parks, pools, trails or paths.

Second-hand smoke causes many of the same diseases as direct smoking, including heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases, such as asthma and emphysema.  “Studies have shown that second-hand smoke exposure outdoors can be just as harmful as exposure indoors,” said Michelle Lyne, program manager of Community Health at the HNHU. “There is no safe level of second-hand smoke.”

The HNHU commends this legislation as it will help protect residents from the harms of second-hand smoke. “It will also reinforce positive role modelling for younger residents,” said Lyne.

The HNHU offers support and resources for individuals interested in quitting smoking.  For more information, check out their website at www.hnhu.org or email [email protected].

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Contact
Kimberly Dias
Manager, Health Promotion
Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit
(519) 426-6170 ext. 3152
[email protected]