Executive Summary
- Smoking and vaping are prohibited within 20 meters of all arena property boundaries.
- Tobacco Enforcement Officers are increasing patrols as the winter sports season begins.
- Violators of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act face fines of $305.
- The enforcement strategy prioritizes warnings followed by charges for repeat non-compliance.
Lakelands Public Health has announced a heightened enforcement campaign regarding the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) at local arenas, aiming to ensure compliance with regulations prohibiting smoking and vaping on recreational properties. As the winter sports season increases attendance at these facilities, officials are reminding the public that the ban extends to within 20 meters of all arena property boundaries, not merely the entrances.
According to the health agency, Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) will be increasing their presence at arenas across the region, which includes Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Peterborough. Richard Ovcharovich, the Environmental Health Manager for Lakelands Public Health, stated that officers will utilize a progressive enforcement approach. This strategy involves issuing initial warnings to educate the public, followed by formal charges if non-compliant behavior persists.
Under the provincial legislation, individuals found smoking or vaping within the prohibited zones face a fine of $305. Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, emphasized the health rationale behind the strict enforcement. Dr. Piggott noted that second-hand vapor contains heavy metals and ultrafine particles, while second-hand smoke possesses no safe level of exposure. The agency asserts that maintaining smoke-free environments helps establish positive social norms and reduces youth initiation rates.
Regulatory Compliance Strategy
The decision to escalate enforcement aligns with the seasonal influx of athletes and families to community arenas, identifying these locations as critical points for public health intervention. By strictly enforcing the 20-meter buffer zone, Lakelands Public Health is moving beyond passive signage to active monitoring, signaling a zero-tolerance stance on infractions that compromise air quality in public recreational spaces. This operational shift highlights the agency’s commitment to utilizing the legislative framework of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to mitigate environmental health risks in high-traffic community hubs.
