Smoke-Free Car Legislation - January 21st, 2009
Smoke-Free Cars are Important? Smoke-Free Homes Thinking about Quitting Smoking? Questions?	Have you seen these ads?

Since January 21, 2009 smoking inside a vehicle with a child under the age of 16 has been against the law. This applies to both drivers and passengers.

Please visit the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion or Campaign for a Smoke-Free Ride for more information.

Smoke-Free Cars are Important?

• There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. ¹
• Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of second-hand smoke.
• Second-hand smoke can reach very high levels in vehicles because of the small enclosed space. ²
• Opening a window or using a fan or ventilation system doesn’t eliminate second-hand smoke exposure. ³
• Children are not able to control their exposure to second-hand smoke.
• It is important that parents, caregivers and child care providers protect them from exposure.
• Please learn more about second-hand smoke at Second-Hand Smoke

Smoke-Free Homes

• A smoke-free home means that smoking is NOT allowed inside any room of a house - at any time
• Making a home 100% smoke-free is the only way to effectively prevent against the harmful effects of SHS
• Learn more about how to make a home or car smoke-free at Smoke-Free Homes and Cars

Thinking about Quitting Smoking?

• Making the decision to quit smoking is an important step to improving your health
• If you are thinking of quitting, contact the Region of Peel – Public Health at 905-799-7700 and ask about the Peel Health Quit Smoking Program

Questions?

• Please call the Region of Peel – Public Health at 905-799-7700 (toll-free from Caledon at 905-584-2216) for more information about the health effects of smoking, second-hand smoke and how to create smoke-free spaces (e.g. homes, cars)

References

1. ¹ Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion. (2006). Health Effects of Second-Hand Smoke. [PDF] (fact sheet).
2. ² Ontario Medical Association. (2004). Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke: Are we Protecting our Kids? Toronto: Ontario Medical Association. [PDF].
3. ³ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Coordinating Smoking and Health; 2006.

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