A sign put up at the Leamington Soccer Complex as a result of Leamington's smoke-free outdoor space bylaw. Photo taken May 27, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)A sign put up at the Leamington Soccer Complex as a result of Leamington's smoke-free outdoor space bylaw. Photo taken May 27, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Windsor

New Anti-Smoking Rules Take Effect

The province is updating the Smoke-Free Ontario Act with new rules coming into effect today.

The new rules mean no more smoking on bar or restaurant patios, extending to playgrounds and public sports fields as well.

Some municipalities have already put in place by-laws to ban smoking on municipal property, playgrounds and sports fields like Leamington, Lakeshore and Chatham-Kent.

The new rules also ban the sale of tabacco on college and university campuses.

According to the province, tobacco creates $2.2-billion in direct healthcare costs a year and kills 13,000 Ontarians annually.

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