Tobacco and Vapour Product Retailers

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) regulates the sale, supply, use, display, and promotion of tobacco and vapour products (e.g., vapes, e-cigarettes, and e-substances), as well as the smoking and vaping of cannabis.¹

If you are an owner, employer or employee that sells tobacco products or vapour products in Ontario, you must follow the rules as outlined in the SFOA, 2017.² Tobacco and vapour product retailers have a legal responsibility to ensure compliance with these rules. Resources are available to assist retailers understand what is required of them.

In addition to the Guide for Retailers (provided by the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care), the Middlesex-London Health Unit offers free information sessions for local storeowners and employees, where the legal responsibilities of tobacco and vapour product retailers are reviewed.

Definitions

Tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, specialty tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snus and snuff, and tobacco sticks or capsules used in vapour products.

Vapour products include electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), any part of an e-cigarette (e.g. coils), and substances made or sold to be used in an e-cigarette.