July 3, 2018

VIA EMAIL

The Honourable Premier of Ontario Legislative Building, Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1 Email: [email protected]

Dear Premier Ford:

Re: Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017

I am writing to share that the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts is a longstanding proponent and partner in provincial measures to control tobacco. It is thus with deep regret that we learned of the government’s decision to delay the implementation the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (the Act), and we urge you to immediately reconsider this decision.

We urge the Government of Ontario to implement the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 without delay so all Ontarians can benefit from reduced risks of illness and death associated with tobacco, vapour, and cannabis use. All are essential components of the modernized Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy that aims to drastically reduce tobacco use by 2035, further protecting health and reducing healthcare costs.

The Board of Health supports the modernization of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy in “Smoke-Free Ontario the Next Chapter-2018 for a Healthier Ontario”, and recognizes that a comprehensive strategy includes a regulatory framework that aligns vaping restrictions with restrictions on tobacco. Furthermore, the Board of Health recognizes the importance of taking a public health approach to the legalization of cannabis with the inclusion of marijuana/cannabis (medical and recreational) as a prescribed product or substance under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, knowing that further regulation of cannabis would come through the Cannabis Act, 2017.

The Honourable Doug Ford July 3, 2018 Page 2

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is eager to take on its responsibilities under the Act to further protect the public from tobacco, vapour, and cannabis, as provided for under the modernized legislation. We welcome the opportunity to dialogue further on this important measure to protect the health of all Ontarians.

Yours Sincerely,

René Lapierre Board of Health Chair cc: , Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Jamie West, Member of Provincial Parliament, Sudbury France Gélinas, Member of Provincial Parliament, Nickel Belt , Member of Provincial Parliament, Algoma-Manitoulin All Ontario Boards of Health Loretta Ryan, Association of Local Public Health Agencies Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer, Public Health Sudbury & Districts