Smoking/Vaping and the Law

Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA)

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) regulates the sale, supply, use, display and promotion of tobacco and vapour products while also regulating the smoking and vaping of cannabis in public or enclosed places. The Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit uses Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEO[s]) to maintain compliance with the SFOA.

See below for a list of places where smoking cannabis or tobacco or vaping any substance is prohibited:

Enclosed (indoor) public places and workplaces, including company vehicles. includes shopping malls, office buildings, factories

Prohibited Patios: on and within 9 metres of a restaurant or bar patio.
Prohibited within or on the property and within 20 metres of schools, recreational facilities, playgrounds and sports fields. School: on and within 20 metres of the school property.
Hospitals: Prohibited indoors and on the premise as well as the entire property.
Long Term Care and retirement homes: includes Prohibited inside of premise as well as within 9 metres of any entrance or exit.
Recreational Facilities: includes the entire property and within 20 metres of the property. Recreational facilities include any enclosed public place or workplace that is primarily used for sports, children’s play programs and fitness programs for children and youth that is a charity or run by the local or provincial government. Examples include arenas, indoor pools and early years centres.

Playgrounds and sports fields: on and within 20 metres of any playground or municipal sports field
Hospitals: includes inside of the premise as well as the entire property.
Long Term Care Homes: includes inside of premise as well as within 9 metres of any entrance or exit
Motor Vehicles: Prohibited to smoke tobacco or to vape in a motor vehicle while another person who is less than 16 is present. The use of cannabis is prohibited in vehicles except under certain conditions.

For more information on where it is illegal to smoke or vape, please visit: Where you can’t smoke or vape in Ontario

The SFOA also regulates the sale and supply of tobacco products and vapour products. Under the SFOA it is prohibited to sell or supply tobacco, vaping devices or e-juice to any person under the age of 19. Please see “Tobacco and E-Cigarette Vendors” for more information.

For more information on the SFOA or to file a complaint, please leave a detailed message for a Tobacco Enforcement Officer at 519-426-6170 or 905-318-6623 Ext. 3477. To email a request for information or file a complaint, please email [email protected]

No smoking signs

No smoking and no vaping signs are required on entrances/exits and washrooms of all workplaces and public places. Tobacco, e-cigarette and e-juice vendors also require signs regarding the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes and e-juice. No smoking and vendor signs are available from the Health Unit for free. To get no smoking and no vaping signage please contact a Tobacco Enforcement Officer at 519-426-6170 Ext. 3477

Norfolk County Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces By-Law

The by-law prohibits smoking or vaping around municipal buildings and on recreational properties.

Smoking includes the carrying of a lighted cigar or cigarette, or pipe, and is not limited to tobacco but also includes shisha, cannabis, vaping or any other lighted material.

As of May 1st, 2018, the Norfolk County Smoke-Free Outdoor Spaces and Recreational Properties By-law 2018-24 will be in effect. Smoking and vaping is prohibited: not allowed

Anywhere on recreational properties owned or operated by Norfolk County, which includes, but is not limited to: Arenas, beaches, recreational centres, playgrounds, parks, sports and playing fields, skateboard parks, leash-free dog parks, pools, trails or paths, and stadiums.
Within 9 metres of any entrance or exit of a municipally owned, operated, or leased building, which includes, but is not limited to: County offices, libraries, and museums.

For more information or to file a complaint about the by-law 2018-24, follow this link.

To file a complaint please contact Norfolk County By-law Department at 519-426-4377
To speak to a Tobacco Enforcement Officer, call 519-426-6170 Ext. 3477.

Related Resources

Smoking on School Property