Children and Smoke-free Vehicles (Motion #08-08)

Approved by the Sudbury & District Board of Health.

Motion

WHEREAS the World Health Organization and Health Canada agree that second-hand smoke is carcinogenic to humans, causing more than 1,000 deaths per year in non-smokers in Canada; and

WHEREAS children exposed to second-hand smoke are at a higher risk for respiratory illnesses including asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and increased incidences of cancer and heart disease in adulthood; and

WHEREAS second-hand smoke is more concentrated and the health risks correspondingly greater in small enclosed areas such as vehicles; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Medical Association is calling on the province to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children in order to protect those among the most vulnerable Ontarians from the health risks of second-hand smoke; and

WHEREAS the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board of Directors recently passed a motion endorsing the private members’ bill that would amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act by banning smoking in cars containing children under the age of 16 years; and

WHEREAS the Sudbury & District Health Unit is strongly supportive of measures to decrease children’s exposure to second hand smoke; and

WHEREAS sound public health practice applies the most effective, least coercive means to promote and protect the public’s health, and public education regarding limiting children’s exposure to second hand smoke in vehicles has recently increased;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health endorses stepped measures to limit children’s exposure to second hand smoke in vehicles, beginning with public education through to and ultimately including legislative approaches, as necessary; and

FURTHER THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health forward a copy of this motion to the Premier of Ontario, alPHa, to the Ontario Public Health Association, and to the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Health Promotion and Children and Youth Services.

---

This item was last modified on June 12, 2015