Five things to know about Ontario's new smoking laws

Friday, January 2, 2015, 11:29 AM - Smokers across Ontario are having a tough time finding a place to light up. New smoking laws are in effect across the province which the government says will "protect children and youth from the harmful effects of smoking."

Here are five things you should know whether you're a smoker or not. 

1. Where is smoking prohibited? 

Smokers across Ontario will no longer be allowed to light up on bar, restaurant patios, playgrounds, and sports fields. The new regulation also prohibits the selling of tobacco products on university and college campuses across the province. 

The regulation even goes so far as to say hotels, motels and inns are not a “residential location” and are not exempt.

2. Will the new restrictions hurt businesses across Ontario?

Health officials are confident the new restrictions won't hurt businesses across Ontario. “When we first introduced a ban on smoking inside restaurants and bars, there was a lot of concern raised that it would throw restaurants and bars out of business, but the evidence shows that did not happen,” Associate Health Minister Dipika Dameria told Global News.

3. Why did the government make changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act? 

The province says tobacco kills 13,000 people in the province each year and causes an estimated $2.2 billion in direct health care costs. “Creating smoke-free outdoor spaces and patios not only protects the public and workers from second-hand smoke but also reduces social exposure to smoking behaviour,” said Canadian Cancer Society Public Affairs Vice-President Rowena Pinto in a media release.

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4. What happens if I break the law? 

Corporations that break the current law banning indoor smoking can be charged $100,000 the first time and $300,000 for any subsequent violations. Individuals who smoke illegally inside already face fines that range from $1,000 to $5,000 for repeat offenses, but the consequences for lighting up in prohibited spaces outside won’t be so dire: $250 for smoking near a playground (or a hospital, as the current law dictates) and $300 for selling tobacco on a campus. 

5. Who is exempt from the new restrictions?

Veterans get somewhat of a pass. Canadian Legions that built patios prior to November 18, 2013 will be exempt. 

For more information on the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, click here.