As was expected, the changes the Smoke Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017 became fully realized on October 17, 2018 to parallel the legalization of recreational cannabis.
In the coming weeks, Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEO’s) from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit will be visiting all high schools, adult and alternative learning centres in the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s service area to complete mandatory annual inspections.
All students, staff and community members need to be aware that under the revised Smoke Free Ontario Act:
- Vaping will be treated like smoking and is therefore prohibited on school property;
- Recreational cannabis is prohibited in the same places where smoking and vaping is prohibited;
- Prohibited areas have been expanded to include an additional 20 metres from any point on the perimeter of the school grounds;