Smoking on patios is not allowed

Summer is here and the Health Unit is reminding owners, employers and managers of restaurants, bars and mobile food vendors that smoking or holding lit tobacco are no longer allowed on their patios.

And officials say under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act businesses are responsible for enforcing the law and they must post metal no smoking signs at entrances to all patios.

In terms of enforcement, the maximum for a first offence is a fine of $1,000.  Corporations face fines between 100-thousand and 300-thousand dollars for non-compliance.