Protection

Smoke-Free Housing

Make your home smoke-free by visiting the Smoke-Free Housing Ontario website.

The website offers information, tools and resources for support, whether a tenant, a landlord, a condominium owner, or a housing co-op member.

Health Canada also provides a guide to protecting your family to second hand smoke in homes and vehicles.

Smoke-Free Spaces and the Law

To learn where smoking and vaping is prohibited in Ontario, check out https://www.ontario.ca/page/where-you-cant-smoke-or-vape-ontario

These are a few of the common problematic areas:

• Schools (including school yards and school busses)
• Hospitals and attached property
• Enclosed workplaces (including work vehicles)
• Enclosed public places

For more details refer to the attached link: https://www.ontario.ca/page/where-you-cant-smoke-or-vape-ontario

Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) regulates the smoking and vaping of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis to protect the health of the public, prevent people from starting to smoke or vape, and support quit attempts.

Find out how the SFOA, 2017 affects specific settings

Signage 

The SFOA, 2017 requires all workplaces and public places to post “No Smoking” and “No Vaping” signs at all entrances, exits, and washrooms of the smoke-free and vape-free areas. These signs are available at no cost. Signs can be ordered by calling the Health Unit toll-free at 1.800.563.2808, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For sample signs and more information from the Province of Ontario, please click here.

Retail Training

A guide for retailers of tobacco or vaping products is available.

Guide for retailers – Guide à l’intention des détaillants

Enforcement

Inspectors under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act perform the following duties relating to tobacco and vaping products:

• Display and promotion inspections at area retailers relating to sales of tobacco and vapour products
• Youth access test inspections for vapes and tobacco sales at area retailers
• General complaints and inquiries related to the SFOA Routine spot checks of prohibited locations for compliance
• Investigations related to tobacco and vaping offences

If you have any questions about the SFOA, 2017 or would like to make a complaint, call your local Public Health Unit (link to PHU contact)

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This item was last modified on April 19, 2023