Ontario has taken new steps to stamp out illegal tobacco, help more people quit smoking and ensure young people don't get addicted.
On June 1, 2011, the Supporting Smoke-Free Ontario by Reducing Contraband Tobacco Act, 2011 passed third reading. It provides new measures to further protect young people from the dangers of cheap, illegal tobacco – marking another major step towards a Smoke-Free Ontario.
The new legislation means:
stronger controls over all types of raw leaf tobacco grown in or imported into Ontario- new fine levels for possessing illegal cigarettes
- authority for police officers to seize illegal, unmarked tobacco
- a marking scheme for fine-cut tobacco, similar to that used on cigarette packaging
To further protect children and youth from the harmful effects of smoking, Ontario will work with educators and young people to keep schools smoke-free and develop youth-led strategies focused on prevention.
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario, killing 13,000 people a year. That's three times the combined deaths caused by alcohol, drugs, suicide, homicide and car crashes.
"The facts about tobacco use are beyond dispute. It is an epidemic that kills, sickens and burdens health care systems and costs all of us money. I am pleased that several ministries and stakeholders are engaged in this issue and that the government is increasing its investment in the continued fight against tobacco in Ontario. We cannot win a war we don't invest in and, like other public health issues, tobacco control is everyone's business."
Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health
