Smoke and Vape-Free - Enclosed Workplaces and Public Places

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) regulates sale and use of tobacco and vapour products, as well as the smoking and vaping of cannabis, in enclosed workplaces and public places. If you are an employer or owner of an enclosed workplace or enclosed public place, you must post individual no smoking and no vaping signs or combined signs (tobacco and e-cigarettes) at each entrance, exit and washroom.

Enclosed workplaces must be smoke-free 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you see someone smoking or vaping, you can submit an anonymous complaint online at takeyourbuttoutside.ca.

Covered Entrances

There are no restrictions on "building entrance smoking or vaping” under the Act, with the exception of covered entrances (e.g. has a partial roof or overhang).

If an entrance has either a partial roof or an overhang, it may fall under the definition of an "enclosed public place" and may have to have designated as smoke-free and vape-free.

Also, in the City of London, the Smoke-Free Outdoor Public Spaces Bylaw (effective May 1, 2013) prohibits smoking within 9 metres of all city-owned building entrances, such as libraries and arenas.

Workplaces can make their own internal policy banning smoking and vaping from entrances or exits to protect the health of employees, customers and visitors. If a business implements this type of internal policy, they are responsible for its enforcement.