With new smoking regulations coming into effect, Parry Sound businesses can get new no-smoking signs.
Starting next Tuesday Parry Sound businesses can pick the signs up at the health unit. It’s located at the Parry Sound Mall.
The new signs include a “no-vaping” message in addition to the familiar no-smoking message. They have to be put at each entrance of a public building and at each public washroom.
That’s because of changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act that came into effect on October 17th, the same day recreational cannabis was legalized.
Those changes include recreational and school facilities being cannabis and vape free. This includes inside or within 20 meters from buildings in addition to no-smoking laws. The new signs include a vaporizer in addition to the cigarette icon. Metal signs for schools will also be updated and will be provided at a later date.
According to Paula Benoit, Tobacco Inspector with the North Bay-Parry Sound Health Unit, there is a period of education for the public to adapt to the new legislation. After an undisclosed period, though likely after signs have already been posted, violators of this law can be issued a ticket of $250 plus a $50 victim surcharge fee and a $5 court cost. Repeat offenders could face even higher fines.
