Smoking & Vaping

THE SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT

It is illegal to smoke or hold a lighted tobacco product anywhere on school property, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This law applies to everyone on school property – students, staff, and visitors. This includes smoking in a vehicle parked on school property and smoking on school athletic fields during after hours activities – both are illegal. Anyone found smoking on school property can be fined $250.00 for a first offence and up to $5, 000.00 for subsequent offences. Tobacco Enforcement Officers employed by the Middlesex London Health Unit enforce this legislation in the London and Middlesex area. Officers monitor and inspect all schools to ensure compliance.

Students are informed of the smoking policy via announcements, assemblies, orientation sessions, verbal reminders and through no smoking signage posted throughout the property.  Students who smoke on property may be suspended.

It is also illegal to sell or supply tobacco products to anyone under 19 years of age. Tobacco Enforcement Officers monitor retailers and school property to ensure no one is selling or giving tobacco products to anyone under 19 anywhere. If a student or other member of the public is seen giving a cigarette or chewing tobacco to someone under 19 years of age, they will be charged and fined $365 for each person that they supplied to. (Therefore, a student just handing another student who is less than 19 years of age a cigarette can be fined.)

VAPING

Vaping is not permittable on school property and will be treated similarly to smoking by the school.