Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA)

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.

Enforcement

Inspectors 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

Signage

• All workplaces and public places are required by law 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.
• Contact us to order signs.

The Government of Ontario provides sample no smoking, no vaping signs for businesses and more information online.

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- and vape-free campuses

Smoke and vape-free campus policies make it easier for people to resist and quit smoking and can have a tremendous impact on the health of an entire campus community. Learn more by visiting the Smoke-Free Campuses website.

Where you can’t smoke or vape in Ontario

To learn where smoking and vaping are prohibited in Ontario, visit 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