HKPR District Health Unit's Tobacco Control Officers (TCOs) are designated as Provincial Offences Officers by the Province of Ontario with authority to enforce the SFOA.
In the community, the Health Unit’s TCOs are responsible for ensuring all public and workplaces are compliant with the SFOA banning smoking and vaping in all enclosed public and workplaces (including work vehicles). They also ensure tobacco and vapour product vendors follow the laws governing the sale of age-restricted products.
Duties of Tobacco Control Officers
- Inspect local businesses, public places, schools and workplaces to ensure proper No-Smoking signage is posted as required.
- Public places include parks, sport facilities (indoor and outdoor), splash pads and playgrounds where children and other community members may be exposed to harm from tobacco and vaping products
- Inspect tobacco and vapour product vendors to ensure they are complying with the advertising and promotion restrictions identified in the SFOA.
- Inspect tobacco and vapour product vendors using youth test shoppers to ensure stores will not sell tobacco or vapour products to anyone under 19 years of age.
- Lay charges where necessary and follow through court process.
- Respond to complaints and requests from the public for assistance to ensure compliance with the SFOA laws.
- Inspect local businesses, public places, schools and workplaces to ensure appropriate signage that is required to be posted by the SFOA is in place.
- Age restriction signage, prohibited areas and radius (i.e. 20 metres from school properties, community recreational facilities, 9 metres from restaurant/bar patios), etc.
