April 26,
2002
HEALTH--Nova
Scotia Introduces Legislation on Smoke-Free Places
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Health Minister Jamie Muir introduced strong legislation today,
April 26, that will protect people, especially children and
youth, from second-hand tobacco smoke.
An Act to
Protect Young Persons and Other Persons from Tobacco Smoke provides
for a provincewide ban on smoking in a long list of workplaces
and public places. The list includes schools, malls, taxis,
theatres, and recreational facilities. Smoking will be banned
in restaurants - including outdoor patios - bars and bingo halls
where youth are present, unless it is in an enclosed, strictly
ventilated area where youth may not enter.
It will
also be illegal for anyone under 19 to possess tobacco.
"This
is a first for the province. It's a significant step forward
in terms of protecting Nova Scotians, especially children and
youth, from second-hand smoke," said Mr. Muir. "This
is fair, effective and workable legislation that is among the
very strongest in Canada."
Mr. Muir
said that the legislation is just one of many ways the Nova
Scotia government is tackling the smoking problem.
Nova Scotia
increased funding for its comprehensive tobacco strategy this
year to $1.5 million. That strategy -- introduced last October
-- includes pricing and taxation, community-based programs,
youth prevention, treatment and cessation, and media and public
awareness.
"Legislation
is a powerful part of an overall strategy to reduce smoking
and exposure to second-hand smoke," said Steve Machat,
public issues co-ordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society,
Nova Scotia Division and a member of Smoke-Free Nova Scotia.
"We believe this is a significant step. It goes a long
way towards ensuring the protection of children and adults,
and we'll continue to work with government on the strategy to
reduce and prevent smoking."
The Department
of Health consulted with a number of groups to develop the strategy
in response to alarming smoking statistics.
Nova Scotia
has a smoking rate of 30 per cent -- the highest in the country.
Each year in this province, tobacco kills 1,650 smokers, and
200 non-smokers die from cancer caused by exposure to second-hand
smoke. It costs the health-care system $170 million every year
to treat smoking-related illness.
One quarter
of Nova Scotians between 15 and 19 years of age smoke. Most
try their first cigarette at about 12 and are taking the first
steps towards a lifetime of addiction and tobacco-related health
problems.
Under the
new legislation, it will be illegal for youth to possess tobacco.
A peace officer may confiscate tobacco from anyone under the
age of 19, but will not charge them with an offence.
Justice
Minister Michael Baker said the legislation is consistent with
the Tobacco Control Act, which bans the sale of tobacco products
to people under 19.
"If
youth can't purchase tobacco, they shouldn't be allowed to possess
it. Many people, including youth, have told me that," said
Mr. Baker. "Possession will not be an offence however.
Young people who smoke aren't criminals, they're victims of
an industry."
Mr. Baker
says the legislation highlights parents' responsibility and
he hopes they will support these efforts.
One of the
most effective ways to prevent youth from smoking is helping
adults, particularly parents, stop. Much of the tobacco strategy
targets both youth and adults with tax increase, television
advertising, local quit-smoking programs and, soon, a 1-800
line to help people quit.
"Since
we announced our strategy, people have done a tremendous amount
of good work across the province to reduce tobacco use, particularly
at the community level," said Mr. Muir. "I applaud
their efforts and I encourage them to continue."
An increasing
number of Nova Scotia municipalities are enacting smoke-free
bylaws. Muir said their bylaws will not be affected by the new
provincial legislation.
Nova Scotia
joins British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador as the
only three provinces with extensive smoke-free places legislation.
The legislation
will come into effect on January 1, 2003. A copy of the legislation
can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/health
.
Contact:
Wendy Barnable
Department of Health
902-424-4410
Pager: 902-458-4018
