Smoking and Vaping Rules in Toronto

Toronto splits its smoking rules across several chapters of its Municipal Code, and Ontario law fills in the rest. Knowing which is which tells you who can fine you and where to look.

Parks and beaches

Chapter 608 (Parks) now bans smoking and vaping, including cannabis, within 20 metres of:

• sports fields, playgrounds, wading pools and splash pads
• outdoor pools
• skateboard and BMX parks
• covered picnic shelters
• outdoor theatre spaces
• public washrooms

Swimming beaches are smoke-free too. The change came from By-law 1482-2025, which council enacted on 17 December 2025; it took effect on 2 March 2026. The earlier radius was 9 metres. The by-law text is on toronto.ca.

Building entrances

Chapter 709 prohibits smoking in an area within nine metres of any entrance or exit of a public building, leaving out the part of the radius on a public highway. The city notes the chapter does not extend to vaping. An individual or building proprietor can be fined up to $1,000 for a first offence and up to $5,000 for any further offence.

Hookah

Chapter 545 prohibits hookah use in licensed establishments.

What comes from Ontario

Bar and restaurant patios are regulated by the provincial Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, not by a city bylaw: no smoking or vaping on the patio or in public areas within 9 metres of it. The province also bans smoking and vaping in enclosed workplaces and public places, within 20 metres of school grounds, playgrounds and publicly owned sports areas, and in a vehicle when anyone 15 or younger is inside. Details are on the Ontario page and in Ontario’s provincial summary.

For more on patios and balconies, read smoking on balconies and patios. The wider picture is in outdoor smoking bans, and other cities are on the bylaw hub.