Smoking Enforcement

Enforcement activities

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services conducts local inspections and investigations to enforce the different legislations. Tobacco Enforcement Officer’s conduct:

  • Inspections on retail stores to enforce the prohibition of sale or supply of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes to persons under 19 years of age
  • Inspections of each retail store enforcing the Smoke-Free Ontario Act on display, promotion and packaging of tobacco and vape products and ensuring mandatory signage is posted
  • Inspections of each secondary school
  • Conducting inspections and investigations in response to complaints made under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 

To either make a request for information or to file a complaint please call 519-575-4400.

Click here for the Student No Smoking or Vaping Violation Form

 Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) 2017 protects people from exposure to second-hand smoke and discourages young people from starting to smoke.

The SFOA includes, but is not limited to:

  • Prohibiting the sale or supply of tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco) and vape products to persons less than 19 years of age (and who appears to be less than 25 years old without asking for identification)
  • Prohibiting the sale of tobacco and vape products in retail settings if prescribed signs are not posted
  • Prohibiting the sale of tobacco and vape products in vending machines
  • Prohibiting an employer from retaliating against an employee because the employee has acted in accordance with the Act
  • Regulating the display, promotion and packaging of tobacco and vape products in retail stores
  • Prohibits either smoking or holding lit tobacco or cannabis and the use of vape products including, without being limited to:
    • Enclosed public place and workplaces, including workplace vehicles and child care centres across Ontario
    • Bar or restaurant patios and public areas within nine metres from the perimeter of a bar or restaurant patio
    • Within 20 metres of a playground with an exemption on private residential property
    • Within 20 metres of either a municipally or provincially owned sports fields and sporting area
    • The outdoor grounds of a community recreation facility and public areas within 20 metres of the perimeter of these grounds
    • The outdoor grounds of a school and within 20 metres of the perimeter of these grounds
    • Nine meters from the entrance and exit of hospitals and residential care facilities, which includes long-term care homes and publicly funded supportive housing
    • Any indoor common area in a condominium, apartment building or university or college residence, including, without being limited to, elevators, hallways, parking garages, party or entertainment rooms, laundry facilities, lobbies and exercise areas
    • Outdoor grounds of hospitals, psychiatric facilities and the outdoor grounds of specified office buildings owned by the Province
    • Prohibits either smoking or holding lit tobacco or cannabis in a vehicle or boat containing a person who is less than 16 years of age
    • Prohibits selling or offering to sell tobacco and cannabis on university and college campuses
    • Prohibits the sale of flavoured tobacco products (with certain exemptions)

 Non-Smokers' Health Act
The Non-Smokers Health Act is administered by the Department of Human Resources and Social Development. Smoking restrictions or bans on federal lands and corporations such as correctional services, transportation, communication and banking are regulated under the authority of the Non-Smokers Health Act.
 Tobacco Act
 The Tobacco Act is administered by Health Canada. The manufacturing, selling, labelling and promotion of tobacco products are regulated under the authority of The Tobacco Act. The legislation:
  • Bans the use of flavours and additives in cigarettes, cigarillos and blunt wraps
    • Blunt wraps are cigar rolling papers
  • Bans all tobacco advertising and promotion in newspapers and magazines
    • This amendment cancels the exception that allowed tobacco advertising in publications with an adult readership of not less than 85 per cent
  • Mandates that cigarillos and blunt wraps be sold in packages of no less than 20
Tobacco Tax Act
The Tobacco Tax Act is administered by the Ministry of Finance. Their mandate is to create a visible deterrent to tobacco tax evasion and other forms of non-compliance.
Tobacconist or Specialty Vape Store Applications

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 specifies that a Tobacconist or a Specialty Vape Store must be registered with the local public health unit. 

Tobacconist Stores

Speciality Vape Stores

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 allows the sampling and display of vapour products in specialty vape stores if they meet certain conditions. Read more about the rules for selling tobacco and vapour products.

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