March 31, 2004, York Region offers No-Smoking By-law information sessions

NEWMARKET – York Region goes smoke-free on June 1, 2004, with the implementation of the third and final phase of the York Region No-Smoking By-law. York Region Health Services is offering a series of 18 Community Education Sessions to answer questions that residents may have. All are welcome to attend.

The York Region No-Smoking By-law regulates the smoking of tobacco in public places and workplaces in York Region. It has been implemented using a phased-in approach, with the third and final phase taking effect this June. As of June 1, 2004, bars, casinos, billiard and bingo halls, race tracks, night clubs and adult entertainment lounges in York Region will all be smoke-free.
York Region No-Smoking By-law Community Education Sessions will be offered on the following dates:

Aurora
Aurora Town Hall
100 John West Way, Aurora (Holland Room)
Monday, April 19 9:00 - 10:30am
Tuesday, April 20 7:00 - 8:30pm

East Gwillimbury
East Gwillimbury Civic Centre
19000 Leslie Street, Sharon (Holland Landing Room)
Monday, May 10 7:00 - 8:30pm
Thursday, May 13 9:00 - 10:30am

Georgina
Georgina Ice Palace
30 Wexford Drive, Keswick
Tuesday, April 6 9:00 - 10:30am
Tuesday, April 27 7:00 - 8:30pm

King
King Municipal Offices
2075 King Road, King City (Committee Room)
Wednesday, April 14 9:00 - 10:30am
Wednesday, April 28 7:00 - 8:30pm

Markham
Markham Civic Centre
101 Town Centre Blvd, Markham (Council Chamber)
Thursday, April 22 9:00 - 10:30am
Wednesday, May 12 7:00 - 8:30pm
(more)

Newmarket
Newmarket Municipal Offices
395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket (Council Chamber)
Wednesday, April 7 7:00 - 8:30pm
Tuesday, April 13 9:00 - 10:30am

Richmond Hill
Bayview Hill Community Centre
114 Spadina Road, Richmond Hill
Monday, April 5 9:00 - 10:30am
Tuesday, April 13 7:00 - 8:30pm

Vaughan
Vaughan Civic Centre
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive, Vaughan (Council Chamber)
Wednesday, April 21 7:00 - 8:30pm
Monday, April 26 9:00 - 10:30am

Whitchurch-Stouffville
Whitchurch-Stouffville Municipal Offices
37 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville (4th floor, Council Chamber)
Monday, May 3 9:00 - 10:30am
Wednesday, May 5 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Smoke-free public places and workplaces make York Region a healthier place to live and work. Smoke-free places reduce exposure to second-hand smoke, discourage young people from starting to smoke, and support smokers who want to quit.
The Regional Municipality of York passed a by-law regulating the smoking of tobacco in public places and workplaces on October 26, 2000. The York Region No-Smoking By-law was implemented using a phased-in approach. The first phase of the By-law came into effect January 26, 2001 and requires all workplaces to be 100% smoke-free. The second phase of the By-law came into effect June 1, 2001 and requires all restaurants, dinner theatres, banquet halls, food courts and recreational facilities to be 100% smoke-free.
The third and final phase of the By-law will come into effect June 1, 2004 and requires all buildings or structures used for playing billiards and games of chance (such as billiard halls, bingo halls and casinos) and all buildings or structures used for the sale and service of food and/or drinks that are licensed to serve alcohol and which do not admit persons under the age of 19 (such as bars, nightclubs and entertainment lounges) to be 100% smoke-free. The By-law includes the option for these facilities to construct a completely enclosed and separately ventilated Designated Smoking Room (DSR) in accordance with the By-law requirements.
For more information about the York Region No-Smoking By-law or any other health-related topic contact York Region Health Services Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (toll free)

Contact:
Wendy Lewis, York Region Corporate Communications Services 905-830-4444 Ext. 1238 wendy.lewis@region.york.on.ca