Smoking and Vaping Rules in Alberta

Age

18 for purchase, possession and consumption of tobacco and vaping products. That matches the federal floor and is the lowest of the provinces we have confirmed. See the legal smoking age.

Where smoking and vaping are banned

The Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act bans both in workplaces, public places and public vehicles. Outdoor eating and drinking areas run with a restaurant or licensed premises count as part of the premises. School, child care and hospital property are covered, as are the areas in or near playgrounds, sports fields, skateboard and bike parks, zoos, outdoor theatres and public outdoor pools. Vehicles with anyone under 18 inside are covered too. The details, plus Calgary’s and Edmonton’s extra limits, are on Alberta smoking laws and city bylaws and the Calgary page.

Retail and flavours

The Act prohibits selling flavoured tobacco and the flavoured vaping products set out in regulation. Advertising, display and promotion are restricted in convenience stores and gas stations.

Renting

The Act’s definition of a public place includes common areas of multi-unit residential facilities, among them patios, pools and enclosed parking garages. We did not find a provincial rule on smoking inside an individual rental unit.

Tax

Alberta charges $0.30 per cigarette: $60.00 per carton of 200, since 1 March 2024. With federal excise of $38.92, government tax comes to $98.92 before sales tax. See Alberta cigarette prices.

Quit help

AlbertaQuits is a free program with a helpline and text support. Nicotine replacement products are bought at a pharmacy without a prescription. We could not confirm which Alberta benefit plans cover cessation drugs. Other provinces are in free quit-smoking help by province.