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What is NOT TO KIDS?
The Not to Kids Coalitionb> is a network of 27 public health units in Ontario whose goal is to create a tobacco-free generation.
Not To Kids! works to decrease youth access to tobacco by encouraging the community, tobacco retailers, youth and schools to take action to keep cigarettes away from anyone under 19. Not To Kids! also provides education on chew/snuff tobacco in order to prevent youth use of these products.
Not To Kids! accomplishes these objectives through:
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Community
education |
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Mass Media Campaigns |
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Retailer
education and enforcement |
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Education
to parents, students, staff and administrators in schools.
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Resources for schools on chew/snuff tobacco and youth click here
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Why
is this so important?
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The
tobacco industry targets youth because they will become
the next generation of customers. |
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One
in five, 15 to 19 year olds in Ontario, smoke. |
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9
out of 10 adult smokers began smoking as teenagers. |
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get tobacco from: |
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Friends
over and under 19 |
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Family
members |
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Strangers
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Some
stores that sell tobacco products |
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What
is the Smoke Free Ontario Act?
The Smoke Free Ontario Act (SFO Act) is a provincial law came int effect May 31, 2006. The goals
of the SFO Act are to:
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Create
smoke-free schools and smoke-free public places |
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Prevent
the selling and supplying of tobacco to anyone under 19 |
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How
does the Smoke Free Ontario Act affect schools?
Smoking and/or holding lighted tobacco is not allowed
by anyone (staff, students, parents, visitors, etc.)
in school buildings or on school property at any time.
Smoking is also not allowed in any vehicle on school
property. The law is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, 365 days a year.
All schools must have signs posted at every entrance
indicating that the school property is smoke-free.
Anyone caught smoking on school property can be charged.
This includes parents, teachers, and kids.
The SFO Act states that it is against the law to sell, buy
for, or give any tobacco products to anyone under 19.
Anyone caught selling, buying for, or giving tobacco
products to anyone under 19, can be charged. This applies
on and off school property.
Anyone
giving cigarettes (even one) to anyone under 19 is breaking
the law. If a friend supplies or sells another friend
under the age of 19 cigarettes, they are breaking the
law.
It
is NOT illegal for youth under 19 to be in possession
of tobacco products.
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What
are the consequences of breaking the law?
If
the person who has broken the law is 16 or older, they
may receive a ticket or be summoned to appear in court
by a Tobacco Enforcement Officer from your local public
health agency.
If
the person is under 16, a Tobacco Enforcement Officer
may issue them a summons to appear in court and their
parents/guardians will be notified.
What
support is available to schools in dealing with this
issue?
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For
general information about the SFO Act, schools can call their
local public health agency. |
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Tobacco
Enforcement Officers assigned to the schools can help
educate staff and students about the law as well as enforcement
activities. If you are unsure who the Tobacco Enforcement
Officer is at your school, call your local public health
agency. |
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Other Public Health professionals (public health promoters,
inspectors and nurses) assigned to the school may also
be of assistance.Call your local
public health agency. |
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| See
school resources for more
information available in your community, or please contact
your local public health agency or contact
us here at NOT TO KIDS! |
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