Frequently Asked Questions on Smoking Laws in Canada

These answers were checked against official pages on 27 October 2026 and match the longer guides they link to. They are general information, not legal or medical advice.

Where can I smoke or vape?

Is there one national smoking ban in Canada?

No. The federal Non-smokers’ Health Act covers federal work spaces and certain transport, and the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act regulates products. Most public places, patios, parks and vehicles fall under provincial and territorial laws and city bylaws. See federal smoking laws.

Does vaping count as smoking under these laws?

Under the federal Non-smokers’ Health Act, “smoke” includes vaping with a vaping product. Provinces such as Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba name vaping alongside smoking in their rules. See laws by province and territory.

What does Ontario ban?

Among other things, Ontario bans smoking and vaping in the common indoor areas of apartment buildings and condos, in bus shelters and similar outdoor shelters with more than two walls and a roof, and within 9 metres of any entrance or exit of a hospital or long-term care home. See Ontario’s rules.

How far from a door do I have to be?

There is no national distance. British Columbia uses 6 metres, Saskatchewan 3 metres and Nunavut 9 metres around entrances, and cities can add their own. See smoking distance from doors.

Can I smoke on my balcony?

Often yes if you rent or own and no lease, bylaw or building policy forbids it. In British Columbia and Manitoba a building can ban it. See balconies and patios.

Can I smoke in a car with a child inside?

No. Health Canada says all provinces and territories ban smoking in vehicles carrying minors, but the age differs: Ontario covers anyone 15 or younger, Saskatchewan under 16, Alberta under 18 and Nunavut under 19. See smoking in a car with children.

Can I smoke on hospital grounds?

Not in Ontario within 9 metres of entrances or on hospital grounds, and not at all on hospital property in Alberta. Many health authorities ban it on every site. See hospitals, care homes and campuses.

Can I smoke in a hotel room?

Only where the hotel has designated a fully enclosed room and your province allows it, as Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba do. See hotels and short-term rentals.

Can I smoke or vape on a bus or in a taxi?

Not in Alberta or Manitoba, where the law names taxis and buses. Saskatchewan bans it in public transit vehicles. See public transit and taxis.

Can I vape on a plane?

Don’t. The Non-smokers’ Health Act treats vaping as smoking and applies to certain Canadian-operated aircraft. Packing rules for devices and batteries are on the vaping on planes page.

What about housing?

Can a landlord ban smoking in my apartment?

In British Columbia, yes, if the rule is written in the tenancy agreement. Toronto Public Health says landlords can make a building smoke-free but cannot change current tenancy agreements, so a new clause applies to new tenants. See the landlord toolkit.

What can I do if a neighbour’s smoke comes into my unit?

Tell your landlord in writing first. Then in Ontario you can go to the Landlord and Tenant Board, and in British Columbia to dispute resolution through the Residential Tenancy Branch. See the tenants’ guide.

Is smoking allowed in apartment hallways and lobbies?

No in the provinces we checked. Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan treat common areas of multi-unit buildings as smoke-free. See the tenants’ guide.

Does ventilation or an air purifier solve second-hand smoke?

No. Health Canada says cleaning or filtering indoor air, more ventilation and segregated smoking areas do not eliminate exposure. See health effects of secondhand smoke.

Health

Is there a safe level of second-hand smoke?

Health Canada says there is no safe level of exposure, and that second-hand smoke was responsible for 993 deaths in Canada in 2012. See health effects of secondhand smoke.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

Health Canada says levels of harmful chemicals in vaping aerosol are significantly lower than in cigarette smoke, but vaping is not harmless and is not intended for young people. Nicotine can cause dependence. See vaping risks and benefits.

What is a pack-year?

The average number of cigarette packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked. Use the pack-year calculator.

Who qualifies for lung cancer screening?

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends annual low-dose CT for adults aged 55 to 74 with at least 30 pack-years who smoke or quit less than 15 years ago, up to three times in a row. Programs differ by province. See the screening checker.

Does smoking in movies affect teens?

Authors at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the Surgeon General found a causal link between smoking in movies and young people starting to smoke. See smoking in movies.

Products, tax and borders

Are menthol cigarettes banned in Canada?

Yes. A 2017 order banned menthol in cigarettes, blunt wraps and most cigars from 2 October 2017. See menthol and flavoured tobacco.

What colour are cigarette packs?

Drab brown, defined as Pantone 448 C, on every interior and exterior surface of packages, with only permitted text. See plain packaging.

How much federal tax is on a carton of cigarettes?

Federal excise duty on stamped cigarettes is $0.97299 per 5 cigarettes from 1 April 2026, which comes to $38.92 per carton of 200. Provincial tax is added on top. See tobacco tax rates.

How much is the vaping excise duty?

$1.12 per 2 mL (or g) for the first 10 mL, then $1.12 per 10 mL or fraction, with the same amount again as additional duty in specified vaping provinces. See the vape tax.

How many cigarettes can I bring into Canada?

After 48 hours or more abroad, travellers 18 or older can bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks duty-free if stamped “duty paid Canada.” See how much tobacco you can bring in.

How many vapes can I bring across the border?

Up to 120 ml of liquid or 120 g of solid in no more than 12 devices and containers within the personal exemption, for travellers 18 or older. See bringing vapes across the border.

What is contraband tobacco?

Public Safety Canada’s archived report describes illicit tobacco as coming from unlawful manufacture in Canada, smuggling, counterfeit imports, diverted tax-exempt products and theft. Legal tobacco carries an excise stamp showing duty has been paid. See contraband tobacco.

Can a film show smoking?

Yes. The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act exempts a film that depicts a tobacco product from the promotion ban as long as no manufacturer or retailer paid for the depiction. See smoking in movies.

Quitting

Is there a quitline?

Health Canada lists the toll-free number 1-866-366-3667 to talk to a quit coach, and a directory of provincial and territorial services. See free quit help by province.

What medications help?

Health Canada lists nicotine replacement therapy, two prescription medications (varenicline and bupropion) and cytisine. It says varenicline with counselling can nearly triple the chance of quitting and bupropion alone can almost double it. See quit-smoking medications.

Are withdrawal symptoms dangerous?

Health Canada says they are not dangerous and improve over time if you stay smoke-free. See how long cravings last.

Need a word explained? The glossary defines more than 50 terms from Canadian tobacco and vaping law. Our resources page lists the official pages behind these answers.