Glossary of Tobacco, Vaping and Smoke-Free Terms

Each entry gives a short definition and says whose wording it follows. A legal definition applies only in the law it comes from, so a word like “cigarette” can mean slightly different things in two Acts. Terms are in alphabetical order. Last checked 27 October 2026.

A to C

Accessory. Under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, a product that may be used in consuming a tobacco product, including a pipe, cigarette holder, cigar clip, lighter, matches and a water pipe.

Additive. For tobacco products, an ingredient other than tobacco leaves (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act). Schedule 1 of the Act bans certain additives, as explained on our menthol and flavoured tobacco page.

Blunt wrap. A sheet, including one that is rolled, made of natural or reconstituted tobacco and ready to be filled (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Brand element. A brand name, trademark, trade-name, distinguishing guise, logo, graphic arrangement, design or slogan reasonably associated with a product, service or brand. The Act says it does not include a colour.

Bupropion. A prescription medication with no nicotine that helps control cravings and withdrawal. Health Canada says using it alone can almost double the chance of quitting.

Cannabis accessory. Under the Cannabis Act, a thing such as rolling papers or wraps, holders, pipes, water pipes, bongs and vaporizers that is represented as being used to consume cannabis.

Cigar. In the Excise Act, 2001, includes a cigarillo or cheroot and a roll with a filler of pieces of natural or reconstituted leaf tobacco, a binder and a wrapper of the same.

Cigarette. In the Excise Act, 2001, includes any roll or tubular construction intended for smoking, other than a cigar or a tobacco stick. A cigarette over 102 mm is counted as more than one, one for each 76 mm or less.

Contraband tobacco. Public Safety Canada’s archived report gives no formal definition, but describes illicit tobacco as coming from unlawful manufacture in Canada, smuggling, counterfeit and illegally imported products, diverted tax-exempt products and stolen tobacco. See contraband tobacco in Canada.

Craving. Health Canada calls cravings a normal part of the quitting process: strong urges to smoke that come from nicotine dependence. It says they become fewer, shorter and weaker as you resist them.

Cytisine. A natural health product that mimics the effects of nicotine and can be bought without a prescription in Canada (Health Canada).

D to I

Dependence (nicotine). Health Canada says vaping with nicotine can cause physical dependence and addiction, and that nicotine is the substance responsible for cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Designated smoking room. Under the Non-smokers’ Health Act, an enclosed room under an employer’s control, other than a room normally occupied by non-smokers, that the employer may designate for smoking to the extent the regulations permit.

Dried cannabis. Any part of a cannabis plant that has been through a drying process, other than seeds. The Cannabis Act makes it a class of cannabis.

Duty paid stamp. The Canada Border Services Agency says tobacco counted under a traveller’s personal exemption must be stamped “duty paid Canada droit acquitté.” See how much tobacco you can bring into Canada.

Emission. A substance produced when a tobacco product or vaping product is used (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Excise duty. The Excise Act, 2001 defines duty as the duty imposed under that Act. The Canada Revenue Agency lists, for example, $0.97299 per 5 cigarettes (or fraction) on stamped cigarettes from 1 April 2026. See tobacco tax rates.

Excise stamp. Under the Excise Act, 2001, a tobacco, cannabis or vaping excise stamp. A tobacco excise stamp is one issued by the Minister that has not been cancelled.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The World Health Organization treaty whose 180 Parties, WHO says, are obliged to ban tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (Article 13).

Furnish. To sell, lend, assign, give or send, with or without consideration, or to barter or deposit with another person for the performance of a service (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Group living facility. In Alberta’s Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act, includes a continuing care home, a mental health facility and a supportive living accommodation. Residents may smoke only in a designated room. See hospitals and care homes.

Illicit cannabis. Cannabis sold, produced or distributed by a person prohibited from doing so under the Cannabis Act or a provincial Act, or imported by a person prohibited from doing so.

Ingredient. Any substance used in the manufacture of a tobacco product, vaping product or their components, and for tobacco products also tobacco leaves (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

L to P

Lifestyle advertising. Advertising that associates a product with, or evokes an emotion or image about, a way of life such as one that includes glamour, recreation, excitement, vitality, risk or daring (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act). See tobacco advertising rules.

Little cigar. A roll intended for smoking with a tobacco filler and wrapper that has a cigarette filter or weighs no more than 1.4 g, excluding any mouthpiece or tip (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

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

Mainstream smoke. Smoke exhaled by a smoker, diluted by the surrounding air (US National Cancer Institute).

Manufactured tobacco. Every article, other than a cigar or packaged raw leaf tobacco, manufactured in whole or in part from raw leaf tobacco by any process (Excise Act, 2001).

Menthol order. The Order Amending the Schedule to the Tobacco Act (Menthol) removed the exception for menthol, banning it in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, blunt wraps and most cigars from 2 October 2017 (Health Canada).

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). An over-the-counter medication that delivers small amounts of nicotine to the body without tobacco smoke, such as a patch or gum (Health Canada). See quit-smoking medications.

Pack-year. The average number of cigarette packs smoked daily multiplied by the number of years smoking (Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care). Try the pack-year calculator.

Personal exemption. The amount a traveller may bring in duty-free. The CBSA lists 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks after an absence of 48 hours or more, for travellers 18 or older.

Plain and standardized packaging. The Tobacco Products Regulations (Plain and Standardized Appearance) require every interior and exterior surface of a package to be drab brown (Pantone 448 C), with a transparent, colourless overwrap and no brand elements on linings. See plain packaging in Canada.

Promotion. A representation about a product or service, by any means, direct or indirect, that is likely to influence and shape attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about it (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, s. 18).

Public vehicle. In Alberta, a bus, taxi or other vehicle used to transport the public for a fee. Manitoba’s version includes buses, taxis and limousines. See smoking on public transit and in taxis.

Q to Y

Quit date. The specific day you commit to stopping. Health Canada suggests choosing one no more than three weeks away.

Quitline. A free phone service where you can speak with a trained quit coach. Health Canada lists 1-866-366-3667. See free quit help by province.

Raw leaf tobacco. Unmanufactured tobacco or the leaves and stems of the tobacco plant (Excise Act, 2001).

Retailer. A person engaged in a business that includes selling tobacco products or vaping products to consumers (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Second-hand smoke. Health Canada describes it as the smoke that comes from a burning tobacco product and the smoke exhaled by a person who is smoking, and says there is no safe level of exposure. See secondhand smoke and your health.

Sidestream smoke. Smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette or other smoked tobacco product (US National Cancer Institute). Together with mainstream smoke it makes up second-hand smoke.

Smoke (federal). Under the Non-smokers’ Health Act the word includes vaping with a vaping product, so the Act’s rules for work spaces apply to vaping too.

Special duty. Duty imposed on tobacco under sections 53(1), 54(2) and 56(1) of the Excise Act, 2001. The CRA lists $0.19460 per cigarette on a traveller’s tobacco and on unstamped imported tobacco delivered to a duty-free shop.

Stamped. For a tobacco product, carrying a tobacco excise stamp and the prescribed information, to indicate that duty, other than special duty, has been paid (Excise Act, 2001).

Tobacco product. A product made in whole or in part of tobacco, including papers, tubes and filters intended for use with it, a device (other than a water pipe) needed to use it, and parts for that device (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Tobacco stick. A roll or tubular construction of tobacco intended for smoking, other than a cigar, that needs further preparation to be consumed (Excise Act, 2001). It is the product used with heated tobacco devices, covered on our heated tobacco page.

Trigger. Anything you associate with smoking or that would lead you to want to smoke, such as coffee, alcohol, stress or phone calls (Health Canada).

Vaping aerosol. What a vaping device produces. Health Canada says it can expose users to harmful chemicals, bystanders can breathe it when users exhale, and vaping liquids typically contain nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol and flavouring chemicals.

Vaping duty. Under the Excise Act, 2001, duty on vaping products. The CRA lists $1.12 per 2 mL (or g) for the first 10 mL, then $1.12 per 10 mL (or fraction), and the same rate again as additional duty in specified vaping provinces. See vape tax in Canada.

Vaping product. A device that makes an aerosol for inhalation, a part used with it, or a substance intended for use with it, with or without nicotine. Cannabis and tobacco products are excluded (Tobacco and Vaping Products Act).

Varenicline. A prescription medication with no nicotine that helps control cravings and withdrawal. Health Canada says combining it with counselling can nearly triple the chance of quitting.

Withdrawal. Reactions when nicotine levels drop, such as feeling restless, angry or sad, or having trouble concentrating or sleeping. Health Canada says it is not dangerous and improves over time if you stay smoke-free.

Work space (federal). In the Non-smokers’ Health Act, an indoor or other enclosed space where employees do their jobs, including adjacent corridors, lobbies, stairwells, elevators, cafeterias and washrooms.

Young person (tobacco and vaping). A person under 18. Section 8 of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act bars furnishing a tobacco or vaping product to a young person in a public place or place the public can reach.

Young person (cannabis). Under the Cannabis Act, usually a person under 18. For sections 8, 9 and 12 it means someone 12 or older but under 18.