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)
