NOT TO KIDS!- Community FAQ


Q.1	What is NOT TO KIDS?

Q.2	Who are the members of Not To Kids?

Q.3	Why is this so important?

Q.4	How effective is Not To Kids?

Q.5	How is Not To Kids different from tobacco industry sponsored programs?

Q.6	How are retailers affected by the Smoke Free Ontario Act?

Q.7	What are the consequences of breaking the law?

Q.8	Is it illegal for me to give my teenager cigarettes?

Q.9	Why is it against the law for teens to smoke on school property?

Q.10	My son, who is under 16, was charged for smoking on school property. Can he send payment of the fine to the court office?

Q.11	Who can I call when I think a store is selling illegal or single cigarettes?

Q.12	What can community members do to support this program and reduce youth access to tobacco?


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Q.1 What is NOT TO KIDS?
A1.	NOT TO KIDS is a comprehensive program that provides education and enforcement to reduce youth access to tobacco. Not To Kids provides information to retailers and to youth, schools and the community. The overall goal of Not To Kids is to prevent the selling and supplying of tobacco to anyone under 19.


Q.2 Who are the members of Not To Kids?
A2.	Not To Kids is a partnership of public health agencies, community members, school boards and retailers. See the list of public health agencies involved. .


Q.3 Why is this so important?
A3.	Tobacco causes more than 12,000 deaths each year in Ontario. Young people start smoking on average at age 12. Smoking rates among young people are alarming. The smoking rate among teens in Ontario was 25% in 2000. Nine out of 10 adult smokers began smoking as teenagers. Keeping cigarettes out of the hands of young people will save them from a life long addiction. The tobacco industry targets youth because they will become the next generation of customers.
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Q.4 How effective is Not To Kids?
A4.	In Toronto where it was first introduced, Not To Kids reduced the number of stores selling to kids from 30% to 16%. The expansion of Not To Kids includes 31 health agencies across Ontario working together to reduce youth access to tobacco. This unprecedented collaboration of public health agencies developed new education and promotional materials for retailers, schools and communities. Not To Kids complements other municipal tobacco control programs and by-laws.


Q.5 How is Not To Kids different from tobacco industry sponsored programs?
A5.	Not To Kids provides a comprehensive approach to the issues of youth access to tobacco. Developed and supported by local health agencies, Not To Kids provides information and education to retailers, youth, schools and the community. In contrast to tobacco industry sponsored programs, Not To Kids, in partnership with local public health agencies, has the authority to enforce the Smoke Free Ontario Act.


Q.6 How are retailers affected by the Smoke Free Ontario Act of Ontario?
A6.	Under the SFO:
	Retailers must ask customers for I.D. if they look under 25 years of age. Retailers cannot sell or supply tobacco to anyone under 19. Cigarettes must be sold in packages of at least 20. Retailers cannot sell single cigarettes. Tobacco vending machines are illegal. Retail stores must post the Smoke Free Ontaio Act signs. Retailers may not smoke in any area of their store. If retailers break the law, they will be charged.


Q.7 What are the consequences of breaking the law?
A7.	Retailers who sell to someone under the age of 19 can be fined and have their ability to sell tobacco removed. Anyone caught supplying tobacco to anyone under 19 can also be fined. The minimum fine is $300., but you can be fined up to $4,000. You can also be fined for smoking or holding lighted tobacco in a number of prohibited places including on school property. This includes any vehicles on school property.


Q.8 Is it illegal for me to give my teenager cigarettes?
A8.	Yes! It is illegal to give cigarettes to your children under 19 years old. Section 3(1) of the SFO Act makes it an offence to sell or supply tobacco to anyone under the age of 19. Parents have been found guilty of this offence, and they have been fined.
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Q.9 Why is it against the law for teens to smoke on school property?
A9.	The SFO Act applies to everyone, youth and adults alike. By making school propert smoke-free, the message is clear - Smoking is unhealthy. The SFO Act prohibits smoking and holding lit tobacco products anywhere on school property and in school buildings, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. .


Q.10 My son, who is under 16, was charged for smoking on school property. Can he send payment of the fine to the court office?
A10.	The answer is no. When a youth is under 16 years old, provincial law does not allow the enforcement officer to issue a 'ticket'. The offence must be dealt with by the courts. The youth will be issued a summons to appear in a specific court at a specific time, date and location. You will get a copy of the summons giving the same information.


Q.11 Who can I call when I think a store is selling illegal or single cigarettes?
A11.	You can call your local public health agency and a tobacco enforcement officer will investigate. If found supplying tobacco to under age youth , they will be charged.


Q.12 What can community members do to support this program and reduce youth access to tobacco?
A12.	As a community member you can:
	Remind store clerks to check I.D. for anyone who looks under 25. Tell the store manager if you think the store clerk is selling cigarettes to someone under 19. Give your business to stores that you know don't sell cigarettes to kids. If you are approached by someone under 19 and asked to buy cigarettes say "No" and tell them you would breaking the law. If you smoke, don't send anyone under 19 to the store to buy cigarettes for you. Report stores or persons selling or supplying cigarettes to youth to your local public health agency.
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