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## Tobacco Free Policy for Rural Municipality of North Shore POL-2021-02
## Background
Enacting a Tobacco-Free Policy for the Rural Municipality of North Shore created a healthier environment for all residents and visitors in our community since its approval in June 2016 by the then Community of North Shore. On behalf of the Municipal Council's Recreation and Community Engagement Committee, we would like to thank all our residents and visitors for their support and cooperation over the past five years.
We continue to recognize the importance of protecting an individual's Human Rights, in particular protecting everyone from the exposure of second-hand smoke. The Rural Municipality of North Shore takes great pride in showing leadership and positive role modeling to all, especially the future of our community, our children. Children who are in frequent contact with adults who smoke are more likely to become smokers themselves.
Accordingly, and in conjunction with the Provincial Smoke-Free Places Act, it is "illegal to smoke in a public place or workplace" in PEI. The following policy has been updated by the Rural Municipality of North Shore to protect the health of all concerned with an emphasis placed on residents and visitors.
## Purpose
The Rural Municipality of North Shore's goal is to fully implement the Smoke -Free Places Act on all Municipally owned properties. The Rural Municipality of North Shore acknowledges its leadership role in the community and aims to be a good role model. The move to go tobacco-free also complements the Rural Municipality of North Shore's desire to create a healthy family and community-friendly environment.
The Rural Municipality of North Shore believes that such an environment and image will be advantageous in influencing healthy attitudes and lifestyles and attracting newcomers to our Community.
Legislation and the legal duty of care also provide clear reasons to have tobacco-free facilities, properties, sporting and cultural events. Under common law, the Rural Municipality of North Shore has a legal duty of care to ensure that employees, volunteers, and all citizens and visitors are not exposed to potentially harmful situations.
## Who is Affected by the Policy
This policy applies to all individuals visiting or partaking in any activity taking place at all indoor or outdoor properties owned by the Rural Municipality of North Shore. There is no exemption to this policy.
## Properties/Facilities
The following indoor and outdoor facilities are to be designated tobacco-free:
- Grand Tracadie School Centre
- Grand Tracadie Softball complex and Outdoor Rink
- North Shore Community Centre Softball and Soccer fields
- North Shore Community Centre
- Stanhope Place
- Rural Municipality of North Shore Promenade
- All Municipally owned parks and greenspaces within the greater Rural Municipality of North Shore.
This policy applies to all areas in and around those facilities including but not limited to:
- all change rooms, showers, and toilet blocks
- administration and office areas and storage areas
- indoor and outdoor spectator viewing areas
- indoor and outdoor playing areas
- all eating and retail areas
- within the perimeter of facility grounds, including parking areas
## Functions
All official Rural Municipality of North Shore functions will be 100% tobacco-free. Such functions include:
- fund-raising events
- festivals
- meetings
- social occasions
- any other event or function
## Notification
The Rural Municipality of North Shore remind and educate the Community of the Tobacco-Free Policy through:
- Public Education sessions
- Tobacco free signage
- Event advertising
- Municipal rental agreements
- Municipal brochures and newsletters
- Municipal website
## Non-Compliance Strategy
The following five step non-compliance strategy will be followed if anyone breaches the Rural Municipality of North Shore's Tobacco-Free Policy.
- Assume that the person is unaware of the tobacco-free policy.
- An appointed representative/volunteer will approach the person breaching the policy, with respect and through an education lens, and politely ask them to refrain from using tobacco and remind them about the tobacco-free policy.
- If the offence does continue then the proper authority may be contacted by the appointed representative/volunteer. Should fines be imposed they will be according to the Smoke-Free Places Act.
4. Under no circumstances should the Rural Municipality of North Shore's tobacco-free policy be breached, no matter who the offender is.
- We encourage all offences be reported to the Rural Municipality of North Shore Administrator.
## Other Community Organizations
The Rural Municipality of North Shore will actively encourage and support independent community organizations within the community as well as other communities to be tobacco-free also. This includes, but not limited to, private businesses, places of worship, public service organizations, recreational businesses, golf courses and tourism operations.
## Policy Review
The policy will be reviewed every two years after its introduction to ensure that it remains current and practical.
## Definitions
The following terms have these meanings in this Policy in accordance with the SmokeFree Places Act:
- a) "Tobacco Product" - means a product manufactured from tobacco and intended to be smoked;
2. "Second-Hand Smoke" - means a mixture of the gases, particles or vapours
3. released into the air by
4. (A) an ignited tobacco product or another ignited product or substance that is intended to be smoked, or
- B) an operating electronic smoking device, waterpipe or othe evice or instrument used or intended to be used to deliver vapol or smoke by inhalation from the device in a manner that resembles smoking tobacco or another product or substance that is intended to be smoked, or
6. (ii) exhaled by a person who has inhaled gases, particles or vapours from a product, substance, device or instrument referred to in subclause (i).
7. "Tobacco-Free" - means that smoking of tobacco, nicotine, or tobacco-like product, plant or substance, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form is prohibited, unless used for ethnic or ceremonial purposes.
8. "Rural Municipality of North Shore" - means the amalgamated areas of Covehead Rd, West Covehead, Stanhope, Pleasant Grove and Grand Tracadie
Approval:
## Effective Date: December 8, 2021
Mayor, Gerard Watts
CAO, Stephanie Moase