CKHA going 100% Smoke-Free, pot legislation, craft show

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Wednesday, December 13, 2017

A special weather statement is in effect across Chatham-Kent, as 10-15 cm on snow is expected.

Today – Mainly cloudy. Snow beginning late this morning. Amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind becoming west 20 km/h this morning. High minus 5.

Tonight – Snow ending after midnight then partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries. Amount 5 cm. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h gusting to 40 this evening. Low minus 12.

CKHA going 100% Smoke-Free

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is preparing for implementation of new provincial legislation that comes into effect January 1, 2018 that will prohibit smoking cigarettes and any other smoking product on hospital property; this includes existing smoking shelters, exterior grounds, parking lots, bus shelters and the property of 47 Emma Street and the Foundation of CKHA.

“This new provincial legislation helps protect our patients, families, visitors, staff and the public from the hazards of second-hand smoke,” stated Lori Marshall, President and CEO, in a press release.

“This legislation dictates that as of January 1, 2018, all hospital properties will become 100 per cent smoke-free. As Health Care Providers, we at CKHA fully support this direction and will introduce the necessary policies and supports to implement this change.”

Currently, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act allows for a designated smoking area for every hospital in Ontario as long as they are not within a nine metre radius of any entrance or exit.

The new legislation will require that all designated smoking areas be removed as of January 1, 2018.

CKHA’s Chatham and Wallaceburg Campuses will no longer provide sheltered gazebos for smoking. As of January 1, the designated smoking gazebos at both campuses will be removed as well as the accompanying designated smoking signage.

The donated gazebo will remain at the Wallaceburg Campus as it has never served as a designated smoking area.

Under these new restrictions, hospital security guards will be the first line of enforcement and will have the ability to ticket people who are smoking on hospital property. CKHA will work with the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit’s Tobacco Enforcement Officer, who has grounds to lay charges. Violators are subject to a fine of $175 up to a maximum of $5,000.

CKHA supports patients admitted to hospital by providing access to nicotine replacement therapy. Staff will continue to work with individuals admitted as inpatients to offer appropriate smoking cessation supports. CKHA also offers smoking cessation programs for staff.

“With this new legislation, it’s important that we heighten our focus on smoking cessation supports for our patients,” stated Lisa Northcott, Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive & Chief Professional Practice, in a press release.

“Helping our patients quit smoking ensures improved health outcomes for the long-term. Our Professional Practice Team will work closely with staff to ensure patients are provided appropriate therapies and alternatives to smoking.”

CKHA anticipates that with the new legislation coming into effect January 1, 2018, some smokers will leave hospital property to smoke in near-by neighbourhoods.

CKHA will be informing its neighbours in close-proximity to hospital grounds of this new legislation and is reminding smokers to be respectful of the residents who live around both campuses.

In the coming weeks, outdoor signage bordering hospital property will inform the public of the new legislation.

The Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit offers a variety of smoking cessation supports to the community, visit www.ckphu.com/quit/ to learn more.

To learn more about the Smoke-Free Act Ontario, visit: www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/smoke-free.

Legislation passed to ensure safe transition to Federal cannabis legalization

Ontario passed legislation on Tuesday that will regulate the lawful use, sale and distribution of recreational cannabis by the federal government’s July 2018 legalization deadline.

Government officials say Ontario’s approach was informed by the province’s experience managing tobacco and alcohol, advice from public safety and health partners, and lessons learned from jurisdictions that have recently legalized cannabis.

“With the passage of this legislation, Ontario will be ready to regulate recreational cannabis once legalized by the federal government in July 2018,” stated Yasir Naqvi, Attorney General of Ontario, in a press release.

“Our legislation builds on federal laws and creates new rules that will help ensure cannabis remains a carefully controlled substance in Ontario – and that we are better able to protect our young people and keep impaired drivers off the road.”

Ontario’s Cannabis Act, 2017 will:

– Create a new provincial retailer, overseen by the LCBO, to ensure safe and socially responsible distribution of recreational cannabis through stand-alone stores and an online order service. Under Ontario’s approach, approximately 150 stand-alone stores will open by 2020, including 40 stores by July 2018, rising to 80 by July 2019. Online distribution will service all regions of the province by July 2018.

– Protect youth by setting a minimum age of 19 to use, buy, possess and cultivate cannabis in Ontario

– Ban the use of cannabis in public places, workplaces and motor vehicles, similar to alcohol

– Focus on harm reduction by allowing for the diversion of people under the age of 19 from the justice system into programs focused on education and prevention, avoiding unnecessary contact with the justice system

– Regulate the smoking and vaping of medical cannabis under the new Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017

– Help eliminate the illicit market, including illegal storefront dispensaries, by creating new provincial offences with strict, escalating penalties

– Keep Ontario roads safe by establishing even tougher drug-impaired driving laws, including a zero-tolerance approach for young, novice and commercial drivers.

Other details of Ontario’s approach will be set out in regulations developed over winter 2018, and posted to Ontario’s regulatory registry for public comment.

“Our approach to retail and distribution will achieve the standards of public safety and social responsibility that the people of Ontario expect,” stated Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, in a press release.

“Our approach is safe and sensible, leveraging the expertise and experience of the LCBO, to establish stand-alone stores and an online channel that that will combat the illicit market, protect youth and achieve geographic distribution.”

Government officials say the province is moving forward with its plans to support youth, young adults and other vulnerable populations through an integrated prevention and harm reduction approach.

Ontario will build on the federal government’s public awareness campaigns by launching a campaign in spring 2018 to increase awareness of Ontario-specific rules.

More details:

– The LCBO continues to engage with municipalities to discuss the process for siting stores. Updates are available at: https://lcbocannabisupdates.com/.

– Informed by a summit with law enforcement and safety partners, Ontario is moving forward on a coordinated multidisciplinary enforcement strategy to shut down illegal storefronts. The new legislation includes high fines for corporations convicted of illegal selling or distribution as well as for landlords who permit such activities on their premises.

– The province recently made changes allowing police to immediately remove drivers from the road who they believe are impaired by drugs, including cannabis.

– According to a 2015 report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 45 per cent of Ontario adults have used cannabis at least once in their lifetime, while about 15 per cent have used cannabis in the past year.

– The province has also partnered with Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) to introduce the Small Business Innovation Challenge. It encourages small and medium-sized businesses to develop solutions to rapidly determine if a driver is impaired by cannabis or other drugs.

Thamesville Santa Claus Parade

The annual Thamesville Santa Claus Parade is being held this Friday, December 15.

The event will get started at 7 p.m.

This will mark the final Santa Claus Parade of the season in Chatham-Kent.

Christmas craft and vendor show at the Moose

The inaugural HO! HO! Crafts and Vendors Show is taking place on Sunday, December 17 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Wallaceburg.

Looking for that hard to get person on your list?

Wanting something unique and/or personalized for their stockings, or just last minute shopping? Then look no further!

They will be having over 25 vendors to browse through.

Entrance fee is a canned good or a donation, but if you don`t bring one, no problem.

Just come out and have fun.

All donations will be given to the Salvation Army food bank in Wallaceburg.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase when you are shopping.

Cram a Cruiser

This Saturday, the Sarnia Police Service will be setting up at Lambton Mall for this year’s annual Holiday Hero Cram a Cruiser event.

This year marks their 5th year for the event which has been a huge success thanks to all of our volunteers and the generosity of our community.

The police will be teaming up again with the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s “adopt a family” program in an effort to help ensure that every child that we can reach, has a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Over the last number of years, the police have been able to exceed the needs of their charity partners, and as a result, they have been able to share donated gifts with other charity groups!

They will be set up inside Lambton Mall on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a cruiser near the atrium of Toys R Us.

A donation wish list will be on site or you can donate a gift of your choice.