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Smoking Prohibited in Vehicles with Passengers Younger Than 19
March 20, 2008 - Smoking Prohibited in Vehicles with Passengers Younger Than 19 Health Promotion and Protection
Nova Scotia youth should no longer be exposed to second-hand smoke in motor vehicles when an amendment to the Smoke-free Places Act comes into effect April 1.
The amendment, which prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when a person younger than 19 is present, was proclaimed today, March 20.
"This legislation is another important step in protecting the health of all Nova Scotians," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "Children and young people are susceptible to the effects of second-hand smoke, especiallyin an enclosed space such as a car."
Nova Scotia is the first province in Canada to prohibit smoking in vehicles when minors are present. Several other provinces are considering similar legislation.
"This amendment only re-enforces what the majority of Nova Scotians are already doing to protect the health of their children," said Mr. Barnet. "For others, we hope it will serve as an opportunity to learn about the health risks associated with second-hand smoke."
More than 4,000 chemicals can be found in second-hand smoke, including carbon monoxide, nickle, formaldehyde and arsenic. These chemicals can contribute to many illnesses including asthma, heart disease and sudden infant-death syndrome.
Since the province's Tobacco Control Strategy began in 2001, overall smoking rates have decreased to 20 per cent of the population from 30 per cent.
The fine for smoking in a car with young passengers is $394.50.
Information on the Smoke-free Places Act can be found on Health Promotion and Protection's website at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp.
Province-wide smoking ban in public places, workplaces approved
November 14, 2007 - Edmonton ... A province-wide smoking ban in all public places and workplaces has been approved, with a planned effective date of January 1, 2008. Alberta's new Tobacco Reduction Act will also prohibit smoking within a specified distance from the windows, doorways and air intakes of public places to protect indoor air quality. more
Bill 45, the Tobacco Reduction Act, Has Been Postponed Until Fall Session
A final vote on Bill 45, the Tobacco Reduction Act, has been postponed until the fall session of the Alberta Legislature that will commence on November 5.
Bill 45 received second reading on Wed. June 13, 2007. There was unanimous all-party support.
Click here to review the Alberta Hansard (begins at p.1747)
The provisions in the bill include:
- 100% smoke-free workplaces and public places
- ban smoking within a distance of doorways, windows and air intakes (with the distance to be prescribed by regulation)
- ban on retail displays (applies to all stores, not just those accessible to minors)
- ban on tobacco sales in hospitals and other health facilities, pharmacies and stores that contain a pharmacy, and colleges and universities
To see Bill 45 click here.
The Wood Buffalo Region is Going 100% Smoke-Free!
June 13, 2007 - The Wood Buffalo Region including Fort Chipweyan, Janvier, Conklin, Fort MacKay, Anzac and, of course, Fort McMurray is now officially going 100% smoke free in all public places as of September 1, 2007. The bylaw will also include a 10 meter smoke-free zone outside all public door entrances. more
All of the members on the Wood Buffalo Tobacco Reduction Coalition have worked very hard to make this change for the better!
Registered Nurses Applaud Tobacco Smoking Cessation Legislation
EDMONTON, June 12, 2007 /CNW/ - The College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) welcomes the tobacco smoking cessation legislation introduced by Minister of Health and Wellness Dave Hancock in the Legislature today... more
Changes to Legislation Will Prohibit Smoking in Public Places
Edmonton, June 12, 2007 - Amendments to provincial legislation will ban smoking in all public places in Alberta, as well as prohibit tobacco product displays in retail outlets and ban tobacco sales in pharmacies and on post-secondary campuses.
Minister of Health and Wellness Dave Hancock introduced Bill 45, the Smoke-free Places (Tobacco Reduction) Amendment Act, 2007 on June 12 in the Legislative Assembly. more
Government Approves Province-Wide Smoking Ban in Public Places, Legislation Proposed to Ban Tobacco Retail Displays and Sales in Pharmacies
Edmonton, May 31, 2007 - Proposed legislation will ban smoking in all public places in Alberta, as well as prohibit tobacco product displays in retail outlets and tobacco sales in pharmacies.
The Tobacco Reduction Act will prohibit smoking in all public places and workplaces. Other changes proposed under the legislation will ban tobacco power walls and other promotional displays in retail outlets. Tobacco products will no longer be permitted for sale in pharmacies, public colleges and universities. more
Medical Association Calls for Provincial Government Support to Curb Youth Smoking
Edmonton, May 16, 2007 - The Canadian Medical Association is urging the Alberta government to do more to stop smoking among youth. Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, the Canadian Medical Association's immediate Past President says, "...we're seeing children as young as six years old who [have] started smoking [now]... the time has come for a vigorous healthy public policy approach to smoking among youth". Collins-Nakai appears on The Policy Channel in an exclusive interview (www.policychannel.com). more
Business, Labour and Health Groups Unite for Provincial Smoke-Free Workplace Legislation
EDMONTON, April 18 /CNW/ - Today, representatives from major business, labour and health organizations announced their joint support for provincial smoke-free workplace legislation. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce, the Alberta Federation of Labour and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees joined several prominent health organizations to urge the Alberta government to protect all workers from secondhand smoke on the job. more
Pharmacists Support Removing Tobacco Products From Pharmacies
EDMONTON, April 25 /CNW/ - The Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP) announced today that it strongly endorses the removal of tobacco products from premises where there is a pharmacy. The statement is made in support of efforts by the minister of Health and Wellness to reduce tobacco use and accessibility. more
AFL Joins Campaign for Province-Wide Smoking Ban
Worker Safety at Risk from Second-hand Smoke
EDMONTON, April 18 /CNW/ - The AFL joined with Action on Smoking and Health, Alberta Cancer Board and the Alberta Chamber of Commerce today to launch a campaign to urge the Alberta government to implement a province-wide smoking ban in all workplaces. more
Albertans Resoundingly Approve Proposed Tobacco Legislation
Today the Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta and the Canadian Cancer Society released the results of a new Ipsos-Reid poll conducted between January 16 and 21 revealing that public support for provincial tobacco legislation is at an all-time high. The survey found very little difference in public support among residents in greater Edmonton, greater Calgary, and those living outside of these two metropolitan areas.
Four out of five Albertans sampled support a complete ban on smokin... more
Calgary Airport Sets Smoke-Free Deadline Ban
Airport Sets Smoke-Free Deadline Ban Enforced in Main Complex Starting April 1
Emma Poole, Calgary Herald
December 12, 2006
It's no joke - as of April Fool's Day, travelers hoping to get a last-minute tobacco fix before taking off from Calgary's airport will have to do so outside the main complex.
Officials with the Calgary Airport Authority said Monday the building - including bars and restaurants - will go smoke-free April 1. Airports where smoking is permitted are very m... more
Calgary Sees a Drastic Improvement in Indoor Air Quality Tests
- NEWS RELEASE -
Monday, February 5, 2007
Calgary In 2006, an analysis of indoor air quality in 34 drinking establishments in Albertas two largest cities, Edmonton and Calgary, reveals that Calgarys indoor air was 30 times more polluted than Edmontons. The survey also revealed that Calgarys indoor air quality was much worse that outdoor pollution levels even during rush hour traffic based on counts of small airb...more
California Anti-Smoking Laws Save Thousands of Lives, new study finds
California anti-smoking laws save thousands of lives, new study finds Cigarette tax increases, media campaigns reduce rate of smokers
News Release, March 1, 2007
More than 50,000 lives will have been saved by the year 2010 in California because of statewide tobacco control policies. Thats according to a new study that also estimates smoking rates among Californians dropped by 25 percent due to higher cigarette prices, ramped up... more
