Smoke-Free Places Act Comes into Effect Jan. 1

The Nova Scotia government released regulations to the Smoke-Free Places Act today, Dec. 3, as it prepares to bring in one of the strongest provincial anti-smoking laws in the country on Jan 1, 2003.

The Smoke-Free Places Act provides a total ban on smoking anywhere there are youth under 19, including schools and school grounds, hospitals and clinics, malls, theatres, taxis, community halls, and sports and entertainment facilities. In places such as workplaces, restaurants and bars, smoking must be restricted to an enclosed, separately ventilated smoking room that only adults may enter, or to certain times of day.

"This is landmark legislation," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "It's an important step towards improving and protecting the health of all Nova Scotians, especially our youth."

The regulations deal mostly with ventilation standards for smoking rooms. They apply primarily to places with the option of a smoking room.

Business owners who are planning to install a smoking room may need more time to design, order and install the proper ventilation systems. Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 will be a transition period, during which inspectors will inform and educate business owners about the regulations, but will use discretion in enforcement.

Government consulted with industry and health representatives over the summer and fall and shared the draft regulations with them.

"The process took longer than expected and we said all along that we would be fair and reasonable to business owners," said Mr. Muir. "We expect them to extend the same courtesy. If they're not planning to install a smoking room, they must be prepared go smoke-free on January 1."

Business owners who are building a smoking room must make at least 75 per cent of their seating area smoke-free on Jan. 1. If inspectors see no evidence that plans to build a smoking room are under way, they may order the entire business to be smoke free.

The Smoke-Free Places Act is part of a provincial plan to reduce Nova Scotia's high smoking rate and to protect people from second-hand smoke. Nova Scotia's Comprehensive Tobacco Strategy, introduced in October 2001, also includes tobacco tax increases, public education, school programs and help to quit smoking.

Mr. Muir said the province is already beginning to see a reduction in smoking, referring to recent statistics that show a significant drop in both youth and overall smoking rates.

More information on the Smoke-Free Places Act and a copy of the regulations are available on the Department of Health Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/health/ , or by calling toll-free 1-800-565- 3611. The Department of Health will mail the regulations to owners of restaurants, bars, lounges and other establishments.