Vaping Laws in Canada: Age, Nicotine and Flavours
Key takeaways
Vaping is legal for adults in Canada, but regulated. Federally, vaping products may not be furnished to anyone under 18 and may not contain more than 20 mg/mL of nicotine. Provinces set the actual minimum age (often 19), where vaping is banned and which flavours can be sold.
Federal rules
A federal regime for vaping. Bill S-5 (S.C. 2018, c. 9) received Royal Assent on 23 May 2018 and renamed the Tobacco Act the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, creating a federal regime for vaping products.
Adult access. Allowing adults to legally access vaping products as “likely” less harmful alternatives to tobacco was one stated aim of the 2018 law. Health Canada described it as allowing adults to legally access vaping products as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes while protecting youth. The quotation marks around “likely” are ours: less harmful than cigarettes does not mean harmless.
Minimum age. Federally, no person may furnish a vaping product to a young person, defined as a person under 18. Health Canada said that the 2018 amendments made it an offence to furnish a vaping product to a person under 18, and that additional promotion restrictions took effect on 19 November 2018. Provinces and territories can set a higher age.
Nicotine strength. Under SOR/2021-123, a vaping product must not contain nicotine above 20 mg/mL. The regulations were registered on 10 June 2021 and came into force on 8 July 2021.
Promotion and flavours. The Act prohibits promoting vaping products by indications or illustrations of five flavour categories listed in Schedule 3: confectionery, dessert, cannabis, soft drink and energy drink. This is a limit on promotion, not a nationwide ban on selling flavours; provinces regulate which flavours can be sold.
Tax. The federal vaping duty is $1.12 per 2 mL for the first 10 mL of vaping liquid, then $1.12 per 10 mL, effective 1 July 2024. An additional duty at the same rate applies in specified provinces and territories. See prices and taxes.
Minimum age to buy vaping products
| Province or territory | Vaping products |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | 19 |
| Alberta | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | 19 |
| Manitoba | 18 |
| Ontario | 19 |
| Quebec | Not yet confirmed |
| New Brunswick | Not yet confirmed |
| Nova Scotia | 19 |
| Prince Edward Island | Not yet confirmed |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 19 |
| Yukon | 19 |
| Northwest Territories | 19 |
| Nunavut | 19 |
Each age links to the official page it comes from. The federal minimum is 18; provinces and territories can set a higher age. “Not yet confirmed” means we could not read an official page for that jurisdiction on the review date.
Is vaping treated like smoking?
| Province or territory | Vaping in smoke-free places |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC applies the same smoke-free rules to vaping as to smoking. Source |
| Alberta | The Act's prohibitions apply to both smoking and vaping. Source |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan's enclosed-public-place and vehicle bans apply to both smoking and vaping. Source |
| Manitoba | Manitoba's smoke-free rules cover both smoking and vaping in the listed places. Source |
| Ontario | The same smoke-free rules apply to vaping (activated e-cigarettes) as to smoking. Source |
| Quebec | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| New Brunswick | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Nova Scotia | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Prince Edward Island | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | The Smoke-free Environment Act prohibits e-cigarette use in indoor public places, workplaces and vehicles with under-16s. Source |
| Yukon | Yukon's Act applies vaping restrictions similar to those already in place for tobacco, with signs reading no vaping as well as no smoking. Source |
| Northwest Territories | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Nunavut | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
Flavour rules in the provinces
| Province or territory | Flavour rules |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | Only age-restricted (19+) stores may sell flavoured e-substances; all-ages stores may sell only tobacco-flavoured ones, and federal Schedule 3 flavours are banned everywhere. Source |
| Alberta | The Act prohibits selling flavoured tobacco products and flavoured vaping products designated by regulation. Source |
| Saskatchewan | Since Sept 1, 2021 most flavoured vapour products may be sold only in adult-only specialty vape shops; stores open to under-19s may sell only tobacco and mint/menthol-flavoured vapour products. Source |
| Manitoba | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Ontario | Flavoured vapour products cannot be sold in retail stores other than specialty vape stores (or licensed cannabis stores); menthol, mint and tobacco flavours are excepted. Source |
| Quebec | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| New Brunswick | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia announced a ban on flavoured e-cigarettes taking effect April 1 (2020); flavoured tobacco ban under Tobacco Access Act only seen in search summary. Source |
| Prince Edward Island | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Flavoured tobacco (including menthol) cannot be sold under s.3.4 of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act; no restriction on flavoured vaping products was found. Source |
| Yukon | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
| Northwest Territories | Since March 25, 2022 the sale of flavoured vapour products is banned; unflavoured and tobacco-flavoured vapour products may still be sold. Source |
| Nunavut | Not yet confirmed from an official page |
Where this leaves you
If you vape, your province decides your age and where you can use a vape; your city may add more. Use the rules-by-city database for local rules and the laws by province page for the provincial detail.
Legal information only, not legal advice. Laws and bylaws change; confirm the current text in the official source before you rely on it. Read the full disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Is vaping legal in Canada?
Yes, for adults. The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, as amended by Bill S-5 in 2018, created a federal regime for vaping products, and provinces and territories add their own rules.
What is the maximum nicotine strength?
Under the Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations (SOR/2021-123), a vaping product must not contain nicotine above 20 mg/mL. The regulations came into force on 8 July 2021.
Where is vaping banned?
In Ontario and Alberta, the smoke-free rules apply to vaping as well as smoking. See the province table below and the rules-by-city database.
Sources
- Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, full text — Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations (SOR/2021-123) — Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Health Canada statement on use of vaping products by youth — Health Canada. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- New Tobacco and Vaping Products Legislation Receives Royal Assent — Health Canada. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Excise duty rates (tobacco and vaping duty rates) — Canada Revenue Agency. Accessed October 27, 2026.