Smoking and Vaping Rules in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of 27 October 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador prohibits selling or giving tobacco, vapour products or non-tobacco shisha to anyone under 19. Smoking and e-cigarette use are banned in indoor public places and workplaces, and in any vehicle with a person under 16 inside. Provincial tax is 32.5 cents per cigarette, or $65.00 per carton of 200.

What is the legal age in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Nineteen. The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act defines a minor as anyone under 19 and makes it an offence to sell, give or furnish tobacco or vapour products to one. A retailer or employee must ask anyone who appears under 19 for a provincial identification card or driver’s licence (or an equivalent from another jurisdiction), and cannot accept any other form of ID. A retailer fined for selling to a minor pays $500 and loses the right to sell that product for three months; a second offence costs $2,500 and six months, and a third $5,000 and nine months. See the legal smoking age across Canada.

Which laws apply?

Sales are governed by the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act (SNL 1993, c T-4.1, assented to on 17 December 1993). Smoke-free places fall under the Smoke-free Environment Act, 2005 (SNL 2005, c S-16.2), which defines smoking to include inhaling or exhaling e-cigarette vapour.

Where are smoking and vaping banned?

• Buildings: workplaces, places normally open to the public, health care facilities, schools, licensed food and liquor premises, retail shops, and the common areas of hotels and multi-unit residential buildings. The province lists bars, bingo halls and decks within indoor public places. Hookah and water pipe use are covered too, and designated smoking rooms are prohibited in workplaces.
• Vehicles: the driver must not drive or have care or control of a vehicle while someone is smoking in it and a person under 16 is inside, even with a window open. Police can stop vehicles to enforce it.
• Schools: every school district bans smoking and vaping on school property.
• Outdoor recreation: every municipality with more than 500 residents has a 100% smoke-free policy for outdoor sport and recreation areas and events. NL Health Services applies one to all its outdoor properties.

Individuals face a fine of $50 to $500 under the Smoke-free Environment Act; operators, employers and owners face $500 to $5,000. The Act does not mention patios or set distances from doors or windows, and section 12 lets towns and cities adopt stricter bylaws, so local rules vary.

What are the retail rules?

Tobacco and vapour products cannot be displayed where customers can see them before buying, and cannot be advertised on the outside of premises or within its boundaries. Tobacconist and vapour products shops are exempt from both rules, but minors can only enter them with an adult. Flavoured tobacco, menthol included, cannot be sold (section 3.4). We found no equivalent ban on flavoured vaping products, which sets the province apart from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; see the menthol and flavoured tobacco ban.

How much is the tobacco tax?

32.5 cents per cigarette since 1 June 2021, which is $65.00 per carton of 200. Federal excise adds $38.92 from 1 April 2026, for $103.92 in government tax before sales tax, the highest carton tax among the Atlantic provinces we have verified. A reduced Labrador border-zone rate applies through a retailer rebate. Vapour products are taxed at 20% of the retail price from 1 January 2021. See tobacco tax rates and the vape tax.

Where can you get help to quit?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Smokers’ Helpline gives free, confidential phone and text coaching: 1-800-363-5864, or text 709-700-7002. The Provincial Smoking Cessation Program contributes to the cost of quit medications and nicotine replacement for people covered by the NLPDP Access, Foundation and 65+ Plans; the province notes it is not free for everyone. Compare provinces in free quit-smoking help by province.

How does Newfoundland and Labrador differ from its neighbours?

The age matches Nova Scotia, but the vehicle rule is narrower (under 16 here, under 19 there), and Nova Scotia’s tax is $59.04 per carton against $65.00 here. Prince Edward Island sets its age at 21.

What we could not confirm

We found no provincial rule on restaurant patios, door distances, or smoking inside a rented unit. The fine for the vehicle rule is not stated on the province’s page, and we did not find a separate figure for it.