For Tobacco and Vapour Product Vendors
We work to ensure that all retail vendors that sell tobacco and/or vapour products do so safely as well as legally in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA).
What we do
As a public health unit, we provide a variety of resources and supports to tobacco and vapour product vendors.
- Retail sales and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act
- Disclosure of offences
- Guide for retailers selling tobacco and vape products
- Specialty vape stores
Retail sales and the Smoke Free Ontario Act
NWHU has the authority to enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. Our Tobacco Enforcement Officers are designated as provincial offences officers. Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEO) also:
- Educate retail vendors on the laws and expectations of any business or employee selling these products.
- Inspect retail vendors for compliance with the display and sales requirements for tobacco and vapour products.
- Ensure the proper signage, including requiring I.D. to buy tobacco industry and vapour products, is clearly displayed and marketing materials promoting tobacco brands are not visible to the public.
- Work with youth test shoppers to ensure retailers are not selling tobacco products, including vapour products to anyone under 19 years of age.
- Lay charges where necessary and follow through with related court processes.
TEOs also respond to complaints and requests from the public to ensure compliance with the SFOA. To lodge a complaint or request assistance, you can call 1-800-830-5978 or email talkpaublichealth@nwhu.on.ca.
Disclosure of offences
Retail outlets and business owners must ensure that their staff are educated on the laws for selling tobacco and vapour products. Any retailer or business that is convicted of an offence under the SFOA is publicly disclosed on our Inspection Disclosure or Smoke-Free Ontario and Electronic Cigarette Vendor Convictions Disclosure page.
Guide for retailers selling tobacco and vape products
If you are a retail vendor of tobacco or vape products, this guide will help to ensure that you know your businesses is meeting the requirements of the SFOA.
Guide for Retailers
Specialty vape stores
Specialty vape stores must have vapour products account for at least 85% of their total sales in the previous year. The remaining 15% of the store’s revenues or inventory would have to be dedicated to other items associated with a vapour product or branded with the name of the specialty vape store, or a brand of vapour product.
If you wish to register as a specialty vape store, you must fill out an application to register.
Need more information?
- Guidelines for registration as a specialty vape store – Ontario’s Ministry of Health
- Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products – Ontario’s Ministry of Health
- Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 26, Sched. 3 – Government of Ontario
- Specialty Vape Store Registration – Government of Ontario
- Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (S.C. 1997, c. 13) – Justice Laws Website – Government of Canada