Smoking and Vaping Rules in Windsor, Ontario

Windsor’s smoking rules sit in one by-law: By-law 113-2006, “A By-law to Prohibit Smoking in the City of Windsor.” Council passed it on 12 June 2006. By-law 175-2016, dated 21 November 2016, added parks, bus shelters and other outdoor places and widened the definition of smoking to include e-cigarettes and hookah. This page describes the text as of 27 October 2026.

Where can’t you smoke in Windsor?

Section 2 lists the places. Smoking is prohibited in:

• a park, including trails, community gardens, playgrounds, sports fields and beaches with the adjacent water
• a bus shelter, meaning a fully or partly enclosed waiting area for Transit Windsor passengers
• a conservation area (Spring Garden Natural Area, Oakwood Natural Area, South Cameron Woodlot, Peche Island and the Little River Corridor)
• an arena, community centre or recreation centre, and the lane, walkway or public parking area leading to it
• any municipal building, and any point within a nine-metre radius of a municipal building entrance
• Lakeview Park Marina, except aboard a personal watercraft or on the boat ramp
• health care facilities, places of public assembly, convention centres, public halls and taxis
• any place that the provincial Smoke-Free Ontario Act and its regulations cover

The park definition reaches paths and public parking areas that lead to the park, so a walkway into a playground is covered too.

What counts as smoking?

The by-law says smoking has its ordinary meaning and includes carrying a lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe, water pipe, hookah or e-cigarette, or other equipment used to smoke or vaporize tobacco or non-tobacco products. Vaping and hookah therefore fall under the same limits as cigarettes.

Are there places where smoking is allowed?

Yes, a few. Section 2.1 allows smoking in a designated smoking area. Schedule A names one: the signed area at the WFCU Centre, 8787 McHugh Street. Schedule B lists 16 temporary designated smoking areas at City facilities, including community centres, Festival Plaza and the Ojibway Nature Centre, each marked by posted signage. Smoking is also allowed where a City permit or agreement says so.

What is the fine?

Section 5 sets a fine of up to $5,000, plus costs, for anyone who breaks the by-law. Charges proceed under the Provincial Offences Act. Where the by-law conflicts with another law or policy, the stricter provision applies.

Who enforces it, and how do you report a violation?

Section 6 lets the following enforce the by-law:

• municipal by-law enforcement officers
• police officers and provincial offences officers
• tobacco enforcement officers of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit
• anyone else Council designates

The City’s by-law page tells residents to call, text or email 311 about a possible violation. Tobacco Enforcement Officers from the Health Unit follow up on reported violations.

How it fits with Ontario law

The by-law adds outdoor City property to what Ontario already restricts. The provincial rules, including patios and school grounds, are explained on the Ontario bylaw page. For comparison, Toronto and Ottawa take different approaches. Windsor’s by-law names hookah, so it is worth reading alongside the waterpipe bylaw guide. More cities are on the bylaw hub.