Smoke-Free Ontario Act
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act has been updated.
Starting October 17, 2018, it is prohibited to smoke tobacco and cannabis or use an electronic cigarette (vape) in public places according to the regulations of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017.
Public places where it is prohibited to smoke tobacco, cannabis and use an electronic cigarette (vape) under Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 include:
- Enclosed public places
- Enclosed work places
- Indoor common areas in condos, apartment buildings and university / college residences
- Schools, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20m of these grounds
- Children's playgrounds and public areas within 20m of playgrounds
- Publicly-owned sports fields, nearby spectator areas and public areas within 20m of these areas
- Restaurants and on bar patios and public areas within 9m of a patio
- Child care centres, where an early years program is provided, or in places where home child care is provided​
- Within 9m from the entrance or exit of hospitals (public / private), psychiatric facilities, long-term care homes, independent health facilities
- Outdoor grounds of hospitals (public / private) and psychiatric facilities
- Non-controlled areas in long-term care homes, certain retirement homes, provincially-funded supportive housing, designated psychiatric or veterans' facilities, and residential hospices
- Reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment locations
- Grounds of community recreational facilities, and public areas within 20m of those grounds
- Non-designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns
- Outdoor grounds of specified Ontario government office buildings
- Sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls which the public or employees frequent, or are invited to (such as a bus shelter)
Additional highlights to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act include:
- No smoking or using an electronic cigarette when a person under 16 is also in the motor vehicle
- All components of electronic cigarettes are prohibited to be sold to those under 19 years of age (now including e-juice)
Smoking tobacco, cannabis and using an electronic cigarette (vaping) is allowed on sidewalks, parking lots, roads, rights-of-ways, beaches and walking trails.
Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces By-Law - Niagara
Additionally in Niagara, smoking tobacco on all municipal and regional properties is restricted under Regional By-law 112-2013. These locations include:
- Outdoor area of Municipal and Regional buildings
- Bus shelters
- Parks and playgrounds
- Sports or playing fields
- Splash pads
- Outdoor pools
- Arenas