The Smoke Free Ontario (SFO) Act came into effect on May 31, 2006.  As a result, all enclosed workplaces are required to be 100% smoke free.  It is the responsibility of the employer to become familiar with the legislation to ensure they are complying with the requirements and regulations.

Under the law, employers have certain obligations including posting the proper signage, letting employees know about the law, removing all ashtrays and making sure if an employee or a visitor is smoking, the person puts out the cigarette or the person is removed from the area.  If an employer does not comply with the legislation, they could be ticketed and fined. 

It’s important to note that under the SFO Act all  workplace vehicles must remain smoke free.  Employers must post no smoking signs and ensure that all employees understand the law regarding workplace vehicles.

For more information on employer obligations, visit the Ministry of Health Promotion's website. This website address can be found under "Links"  in the  "Related Contents" section of this site.

All questions regarding compliance of the SFO Act can be forwarded to the Tobacco Hotline for clarification at 519-258-2146, ext. 3218 or tobacco@wechealthunit.org