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Smoking and Vaping

Smoke-Free Ontario Act of 2017

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) was recently updated and expanded to include e-cigarette vaping and cannabis. The Act regulates the sale, supply, display and promotion of tobacco and vapour products. As well, it regulates where smoking of tobacco or cannabis and vaping of any substance is prohibited. Note the outdoor perimeter of spaces that must remain free of all smoke and vape has been expanded under the SFOA, 2017.

Under the SFOA, 2017;

  • smoking means smoking (inhaling and exhaling) or holding lighted tobacco or cannabis (medical or recreational).
  • vaping means inhaling or exhaling vapour from an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or holding an activated e-cigarette, whether or not the vapour contains nicotine.
  • if you smoke or vape where it is not allowed, you may be charged with an offence and subject to a fine ($1,000 for the first offence, $5,000 for any further offence), if convicted.

The SFOA states:

  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited inside workplaces and public places, including work vehicles.
  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited on playgrounds and sporting areas, and within 20 metres of those locations.
  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited inside a car with anyone under 16 years of age (cannabis use is banned at all times in a vehicle or boat being driven by or under someone's care or control).
  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited on hospital property and within nine metres of a hospital entrance.
  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited on the outdoor grounds of a community recreational facility, and within 20 metres of the grounds.
  • Vaping and smoking tobacco and cannabis are prohibited on the outdoor grounds of a school, and within 20 metres of the grounds.
  • Employers and business owners must post provincial No Vaping and No Smoking signage at their premises. These signs are available from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.

Fact Sheets

There are a number of fact sheets available with information on how the SFOA, 2017 affects the following:

Campuses - Child Care Centres - Community Recreational Facilities - Duty Free Retailers - Enclosed Public Places - Enclosed Workplaces - Flavoured Tobacco - Government Buildings - Home Health Care - Hospices - Hospitals - Hotels, Motels and Inns - Indigenous Persons - Manufacturers (Tobacco) - Manufacturers (Vapour) - Motor Vehicles - Multi-Unit Residences - Playgrounds - Residential Care Facilities - Restaurants and Bars - Retailers - Schools - Specialty Vape Stores - Sporting Areas - Tobacconists - Waterpipe

If you would like any of the above fact sheets, please contact Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.

In the community, the health unit's tobacco enforcement officers are responsible for enforcing compliance of all indoor and outdoor places designated 100% smoke and vape free under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. They are also responsible for the inspection and enforcement of all tobacco and e-cigarette retailers for compliance with the laws governing the sale, display and promotion of tobacco and e-cigarette (vape) products.

To register a complaint about a business or workplace not in compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, or a store that is selling to youth under 19 years of age, call or e-mail Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 and a tobacco enforcement officer will follow up.

External links

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