New Smoke-Free Ontario Act

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act came into effect on May 31, 2006. The new law now bans smoking in all enclosed public places and work places, including Designated Smoking Rooms.  Tobacco use is the province's number one preventable cause of death and/or disease. The Ministry of Health estimates that roughly 16,000 Ontarians die each year from tobacco related causes.

The new legislation is designed not only to protect non-smokers from second hand smoke, but to encourage current tobacco users to finally kick the habit. By limiting where smoking is permitted, the government hopes that current smokers will finally get the message that it's time for the province to quit smoking.

For those who are trying to quit, here a few tips to consider:

• Set a quit date.
• Change your environment where you may be triggered to light up.
• Ask family and friends for support and encouragement.
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids to help flush toxins.
• Talk to your family doctor about effective smoking cessation medications and products.
• Remember that withdrawal symptoms are temporary, don't give up!

For more help in kicking the habit, these resources have been made available:

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• 1-888-513-5333
• http://www.smokershelpline.ca

Along with the health benefits of becoming a non-smoker, quitting can also affect your life insurance premiums (especially term life). Depending on the carrier, upon 12 months of quitting smoking, you can apply for an amendment that will give you preferred non-smoking rates. Not only will you save your health by quitting smoking, you'll also save money!

For those people who aren't ready yet to quit smoking, HealthQuotes.ca offers guaranteed issue health insurance. Guaranteed issue health insurance does not require that a medical questionnaire be filled out, since acceptance is not dependent on your current state of health. The following individual health insurance plans are guaranteed issue:

• FlexCare ComboPlus Starter Plan.
• FlexCare DentalPlus Basic and Enhanced Plans.
• Basic Blue Choice (for Ontario residents only).
• FollowMe (employee benefits conversion insurance).