Welcome to our new website

We’ve redesigned niagararegion.ca to make it easier to find what you need. We’re still putting on the finishing touches, so over the next few weeks you may notice:

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Understanding substances

Health information about vaping, cannabis and alcohol to help you make informed decisions.

Bottle

Alcohol
Marijuana leaf

Cannabis
Vape

Vaping and e-cigarettes

Alcohol

Canada's guidance on alcohol and health has been updated to reflect current research on the risks associated with drinking. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry some risk.

Canada's Guidance on Alcohol and Health
Current recommendations and information about alcohol and health risks

Know Alcohol calculator
See your personal health risks, costs and calories from drinking

Cannabis

Cannabis is legal in Ontario for adults 19 and older. Health Canada provides guidance on lower-risk use, including information on health effects, mental health risks and how to talk to young people about cannabis.

Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
Evidence-based guidelines to reduce health risks associated with cannabis use

Health effects of cannabis
Short and long-term effects on the body and mind

Cannabis and psychosis
Health Canada information on the link between cannabis use and psychosis or schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Society of Canada – Cannabis and psychosis

Cannabis laws and safety in Ontario
Rules about where you can use cannabis, legal age and purchasing

Parent Talk Kits – Drug Free Kids Canada
Resources to help parents talk to their children about cannabis

Vaping and e-cigarettes

Vaping devices are battery-operated and heat a liquid (e-juice) into a vapour that is inhaled. E-juice contains propylene glycol, flavouring and other additives — it does not contain tobacco, but most varieties contain nicotine, the same addictive substance found in cigarettes.

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by a vaping product, such as an electronic cigarette.

Youth and people who do not smoke should not vape. Vaping is not harmless and is not a proven quit-smoking aid.

Youth and vaping

In Niagara, 54 per cent of secondary school aged youth vaped at least once in their lifetime which is higher than tobacco use (Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, 2019).

Nicotine is especially harmful to young people. It can interfere with brain development, and affect memory and concentration. It's important for youth to know that vaping can be addictive and not just harmless water vapour.

The law

Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, it's illegal to:

  • Vape in public places
  • Sell or supply e-cigarettes or e-juice to anyone under 19
  • Vape in a vehicle when a person under 16 is present
  • Allow anyone under 19 to enter a specialty vape shop

Parks and playgrounds in Niagara are smoke-free. This applies to tobacco, vaping products, cannabis and waterpipes. Learn about smoke-free outdoor spaces and by-laws in Niagara.