OC Transpo Goes Smoke-Free

You may have noticed the new smoke-free ads in OC Transpo’s bus shelters recently. OC Transpo has been working with Ottawa Public Health and other partners on a public education campaign to promote the benefits of going smoke-free. Their most recent effort includes a ban on smoking on all Transit Service property, including bus stops. The by-law is being enforced by a fine of $150 or more for offenders.

This latest ban in Ottawa follows Canada’s trend towards smoke-free communities. As the health hazards of even small amounts of first- and second-hand smoke become more widely recognized, people are more and more committed to minimizing their family’s and their own exposure. This means that the number of public spaces that allow smoking are shrinking and smokers have a harder time satisfying their addiction.

On the flip side, this also means that smokers who face quitting have one less obstacle- temptation. Smoking is Canada’s largest preventable cause of death, and most smokers would like to quit. With new public smoking by-laws, smokers who kick the habit can still enjoy their other daily habits without having to face temptation in the form of other smokers. Restaurants, coffee shops, night clubs, work places, and now public transit are among the many places that a person can easily enjoy a smoke-free lifestyle. And as all former smokers know, avoiding temptation when first quitting makes success that much easier. If you are facing quitting or have just recently quit, it’s wise to avoid places where smoking is permitted during the first few weeks of quitting.

These days however, it’s not much of a challenge to find smoke-free places!