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You can't just smoke your e-cig wherever you want anymore

The new legislation makes it illegal to use e-cigarettes in designated non-smoking areas; sell e-cigarettes in certain places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited; display e-cigarettes in places where e-cigarettes are sold, or offered for sale; an
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E-cigarettes were introduced in Canada around 2007 and release a vapour usually containing vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavouring, and in some cases, nicotine. File photo.
The new legislation makes it illegal to use e-cigarettes in designated non-smoking areas; sell e-cigarettes in certain places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited; display e-cigarettes in places where e-cigarettes are sold, or offered for sale; and promote e-cigarettes in places where e-cigarettes or tobacco products are sold, or offered for sale.

“This piece of legislation puts Ontario in a leadership position when it comes to helping lower smoking rates and fight obesity by eating better,” said Dipika Damerla, associate minister of Health and Long-Term Care, in a press release. “The passing of the Making Healthier Choices Act will protect Ontarians from the dangers of second-hand smoke, and protect our youth from tobacco products and e-cigarettes. It will also help families to make healthier choices when eating out.”

In addition to its provisions on tobacco products and e-cigarettes, the act also requires restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores and other food service premises with 20 or more locations in Ontario who sell ready-to-eat and prepared food to post calories for standard food and beverage items, including alcohol, on menus and menu boards.

The legislation requires regulated food service operators to post contextual information to help educate patrons about their daily caloric requirements, and authorizes the minister to appoint inspectors to enforce menu labelling requirements.

Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas has long pushed for the changes the Making Healthier Choices Act now puts into practice.

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