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About 16,000 people die from smokingâ€"related illnesses every year in our province, including many who do not smoke themselves. The cost to Ontario is more than $1.7 billion in healthcare costs and $2.6 billion in lost productivity annually. Smoking and secondâ€"hand smoke have been linked to many cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. And the list is grewing. Patients with tobaccoâ€"related diseases occupy more than 500,000 hospital days each year â€" the equivalent of seven community hospitals. The new legislation is part of the government‘s comprehensive antiâ€"tobacco strategy. We all pay for the costs of smoking The proposed act would: * ban smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places, such as restaurants. bars, casinos, private clubs and work vehicles * protect employees who seek enforcement of the workplace smoking ban from retaliation by employers * eliminate designated smoking rooms * limit the sale, distribution and use of tobaceo products, including stricter measures to ensure only those 19 years of age and older can buy cigarettes. Paid for by the Government of Ontano Je SnuwleeeFree t utartt Ac The Government of Ontario has introduced a bill that would make all workplaces and enclosed public places smoke free. Smoking and exposure to secondâ€"hand smoke is the number one preventable killer in Ontario today. STOPPING THE NUMBER ONE KILLER IN ONTARIO The government‘s proposed Smokeâ€"Free Ontario Act would take effect May 31, 2006. The proposed act does not extend the smoking ban to private dwellings, with the exception of licensed private home day care. Operators of residential care facilities and hotels would have the option of allowing smoking in these residential settings. The government is partnering with many organizations @such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, The Lung Association and the Canadian Cancer Society in a united effort to help create a smokeâ€"free Ontario. This will include initiatives to help prevent youth from starting to smoke and help smokers quit, for example, Smokers‘ Helpline, 1â€"877â€"513â€"5333. You‘ll be able to recognize these programs and partnerships by the new Smokeâ€"Free Ontario logo that will appear in advertising and promotional materials. Call our INFOline at 1â€"877â€"234â€"4343 TTY: 1â€"800â€"387â€"5558 Visit: www .health.gov.on.ca and HealthyOntario.com For more information: Identifving our programs and partnerships A smoketree Oniarie means a healthier Ontarto