Tobacco and electronic cigarettes: frequently asked questions

Retail sales

Is inspection information available online for tobacco and electronic cigarette vendors?

No. Inspection information is not currently available online.

Is enforcement information available online for tobacco and electronic cigarette vendors?

Yes. Enforcement-related activities for tobacco and electronic cigarette vendors can be accessed by visiting Check Before You Go! or by contacting Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

Check Before You Go! has information about routine and follow-up inspections, infractions, convictions, as well as orders for:

food premises
licensed child care settings
personal services settings
public beaches
public pools, spas, and splash pads
recreational camps
small drinking water systems
tobacco and electronic cigarette vendors

Errors or omissions in results posted online:

Public Health Sudbury & Districts makes every effort to ensure that information available online is accurate and up-to-date. Please report potential errors or omissions online or call 705.522.9200, ext. 464 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).

Tobacco vendors

Why are tobacco vendors inspected?

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors ensure compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Government of Ontario) related to:

selling or supplying tobacco to anyone under the age of 19
prohibiting sales in designated places
packaging, health warnings, and signs
flavoured tobacco products
vending machines
controls related to smoking tobacco

How often are tobacco vendors inspected?

Restricting youth access to tobacco products is an important part of the inspection program. The aim is to prevent children and youth from starting to smoke.

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors inspect all tobacco vendors annually to determine compliance with the ban on display and promotion. They check for compliance with signage requirements in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017.

To determine compliance with the ban on the sale of tobacco products to persons under the age of 19, an Access to Minors or Test Shop inspection is conducted. Two test shops are conducted annually on each vendor. This is to verify that tobacco products are not being sold to individuals under the age of 19.

Our Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors also respond to and investigate complaints from the public, which can result in vendors receiving warnings, charges, or orders from Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

What if a tobacco retailer is non-compliant?

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors work closely with owners and operators to ensure compliance with all tobacco legislation and they use a progressive enforcement approach. This means they use a balance of education, inspections, and a graduated charging approach to reflect the frequency and severity of the level of non-compliance.

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors are also designated as Provincial Offences Officers and therefore can issue tickets (offence notices) or summons. They use the authority of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 to issue orders when there is non-compliance.

Recent enforcement activities in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts are posted online.

Electronic cigarette vendors

Why are electronic cigarette vendors inspected?

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors ensure compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Government of Ontario) with respect to:

prohibition on selling or supplying electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to persons under age 19
posting of signs
prohibition on selling e-cigarettes in vending machines

How often are electronic cigarette vendors inspected?

Restricting youth access to electronic cigarette products is an important part of the inspection program. The aim is to prevent children and youth from starting to use these products and protecting the people of Ontario from the potential harm of electronic cigarettes.

Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors inspect all electronic cigarette vendors annually to determine if they comply with the requirements to restrict youth access to these products and to determine if signage requirements are met.

Our Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors also respond to and investigate complaints from the public, which can result in vendors receiving warnings or charges from Public Health Sudbury & Districts. We use a progressive enforcement approach.

How can you file a complaint regarding non-compliance with smoke-free and vape-free public space and workplace requirements?

If you see illegal activities at a tobacco or electronic cigarette retail establishment, report it to Public Health Sudbury & Districts or call 705.522.9200, ext. 522 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200). A Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspector will begin an investigation.

Smoke-free and vape-free spaces

Can other establishments be inspected to ensure that they are smoke-free and vape-free?

Yes. All enclosed workplaces, enclosed public places, and other specified places that are required to be smoke-free and vape-free under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) may be subject to an inspection.

Our Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors, attend and enforce the SFOA at all places regulated under the SFOA, including (Click on the links below to learn more):

We also ensure at least one inspection is conducted annually on each secondary school.

How can you file a complaint regarding non-compliance with smoke-free and vape-free public space and workplace requirements?

In addition to this, our Smoke-Free Ontario Act inspectors respond to all complaints about non-compliance with the SFOA and take compliance or enforcement action, as appropriate.

This item was last modified on December 5, 2019