Tobacco Free Outdoor Spaces
We all know that smoking is banned in many indoor facilities including restaurants, workplaces, bingo halls and hospitals. But what about smoking outdoors?
Did you know that secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public spaces can reach levels as high as those found indoors? There is NO safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke!
It’s time to spread the word about tobacco-free outdoor spaces!
Why is it important?
- Secondhand smoke harms everyone. It is a human carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure.
- Secondhand smoke is harmful in outdoor settings. Secondhand smoke levels in outdoor settings can reach that of indoor spaces.
- Cigarette litter is dangerous. Discarded cigarettes pollute the land and water and may be ingested by toddlers, pets, fish and birds.
- Tobacco-free policies reduce litter and maintenance costs.
- Tobacco-free environments promote positive community role-modeling and protect the health, safety and welfare of community members.
What can YOU do?
- Attend events which support tobacco-free policies.
- Call or write your local representatives (Mayor, Council Members, MPP) to show you care about the issue.
- Be informed - legislation has already been passed in other parts of Ontario; it can happen here too!
- Volunteer with the Peterborough Youth Action Alliance and help make change happen!
For more information contact the Peterborough County-City Health Unit at (705) 743-1000 or e-mail yaa@pcchu.ca
