Tobacco Reta - Perth District Health Unit

Tobacco
Perth District Health Unit
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Spring 2009
2008: Year in Review
Tobacco Display Ban
THE SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT (SFOA) tobacco
display ban came into effect on May 31, 2008.
This section of the Act places restrictions on
how tobacco can be displayed, handled and
promoted in a retail store. The Perth District
Health Unit would like to congratulate all
tobacco retailers in Perth County for being
ready for the May 31st display ban. Remember
that as a tobacco retailer, you must ensure that
all doors and/or curtains on storage devices are
kept closed at all times. Countertop displays of
tobacco products are also prohibited.
Before selling to any person who appears to be
under 25 years old, a retailer must ask for photo
identification to ensure that the person is at least
19 years old. Acceptable identification must
include a photograph of the person as well as
the person’s date of birth and it must reasonably
appear to have been issued by a government.
Some examples are:
• Ontario driver’s license
• Canadian passport
• Canadian citizenship card
• Canadian Armed Forces
identification card
• Liquor Control Board of
Ontario photo card
2008 Compliance Results
UNDER THE SFOA, it is illegal to sell or supply
tobacco products to anyone who is under 19
years old. In order to determine compliance,
two rounds of test shopping were completed by
Tobacco Enforcement Officers in 2008. The
compliance rate for the first round of test
shopping was 87%, with a total of eight retailers
selling tobacco products to minors. The second
round of test shopping had a compliance rate of
97%, with only two retailers selling to minors.
While retailers may not request
a health card, it can be accepted
as identification if it is
offered by the
consumer and if it
includes a picture and
date of birth.
10 DOWNIE ST • FESTIVAL SQUARE • 2ND FLOOR • STRATFORD • ON • N5A 7K4 • 519-271-7600 • 1-877-271-7348 • www.pdhu.on.ca
Flavoured Cigarillos: Bill 124
Bill 124, an Act to amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act with respect to cigarillos was passed and given
Royal Ascent on December 10, 2008. It will require that cigarillos be sold in a package size that
contains at least 20 cigarillos and will prohibit the sale of flavoured cigarillos.
Further information will be provided when it becomes available.
Signage Reminder
Retailers must post No Smoking signs at all entrances, exits, washrooms and other appropriate
locations to ensure that everyone knows that smoking is prohibited.
Also, retailers of cigarettes and tobacco products must post government ID signs, and age restriction
and health warning signs where it is clearly visible at the point of sale. You can be charged if you fail
to post these signs.
If you have any questions or require new signage, please contact Lionel Belanger, Tobacco
Enforcement Officer, at 519-271-7600 ext 772 or lbelanger@pdhu.on.ca
NEW
Smoke-Free Ontario Act
Vendor on-line training
www.sfoa-training.com
10 DOWNIE ST • FESTIVAL SQUARE • 2ND FLOOR • STRATFORD • ON • N5A 7K4 • 519-271-7600 • 1-877-271-7348 • www.pdhu.on.ca