Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby  (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)Chatham-Kent Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Chatham

Board Wants Tougher Tobacco Enforcement

The Chatham-Kent Board of Health says it is good for public health if fewer people smoke so it is supporting a move to make it harder to sell tobacco products in schools.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Colby says the Smoke Free Schools Act would make give control officers more power.

"[The act] includes the ability to enforce prohibitions on the distribution of tobacco in schools," he says. "And empowers tobacco enforcement officers and police to seize without warrant any tobacco products on school property."

Colby says that while searching lockers and private property on school grounds is a touchy subject most people who smoke started the habit while in their high school years.

Colby believes there is a market of illegal tobacco among some students although he declined to say how big that business might be.

The act which is before the legislative standing committee for review would also allow for the suspension of driver's licences for people convicted of using a car to transport illegal tobacco.

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