The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits the smoking of tobacco, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to vape any substance, and the smoking of cannabis (medical or recreational) in enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places, as well as other designated places in Ontario, to protect workers and the public from second-hand smoke and vapour.
Download applications for registrations for specialty vape stores and tobacconists
Where Smoking and Vaping is Not Allowed in Ontario
Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, smoking or vaping in any enclosed public place and other places designated as smoke-free and vape-free is not allowed. Examples of this include:
- Enclosed workplaces
- Restaurant and bar patios
- Schools, child care facilities and other related places
- Playgrounds and publicly owned sports areas
- Community recreational facilities
- Hospitals and other health care facilities
For a complete list, visit Where smoking and vaping is not allowed in Ontario.
Retail/Vendor Information
Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 (SFOA), restrictions have been placed on the display and promotion of tobacco/vape products, tobacco/vape product accessories in places where they are sold. Guidelines and applications for tobacco retailers, specialty vape shops, and tobacconists can be found below:
[ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Standard Tobacco Retailers[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]
To sell tobacco products to a consumer you need to hold a tobacco retail permit under the Tobacco Tax Act (TTA). Effective July 1, 2018, all retail dealers in Ontario who held a vendor permit under the Retail Sales Tax Act are required to hold a tobacco retail dealer’s permit issued under the TTA.
Fact Sheet: How the Act Affects: Tobacco and Vapour Retailers
Download the Application for Tobacco Retail Dealer’s Permit Form.
[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM]
[ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Specialty Vape Shops[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]
To register a business as a Specialty Vape Store with the board of health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, or to renew an existing registration, the following forms must be completed:
- Application for Registration as a Specialty Vape Store (to be completed by the business owner)
- Statement of Professional Accountant (to be completed and certified by a certified professional accountant)
Download the following documents for Registration as a Specialty Vape Store:
- Fact Sheet: How the Act Affects: Specialty Vape Stores
- Guidelines for Registration as a Specialty Vape Store
- Owner Application and Statement of Professional Accountant (PDF)
Submission Instructions:
- Download and complete the application
- Send completed application to
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
999 Balmoral Street
Thunder Bay ON P7B 6E7
RE: Tobacco Enforcement
[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM]
[ACCORDION_ITEM] [ACCORDION_TITLE]Tobacconist[/ACCORDION_TITLE] [ACCORDION_CONTENT]
To register a business as a Tobacconist with the board of health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, or renew an existing registration, the following forms must be completed:
- Application for Registration as a Tobacconist (to be completed by the business owner)
- Statement of Professional Accountant (to be completed and certified by a certified professional accountant)
Download the following documents for Registration as a Tobacconist:
- Fact Sheet: How the Act Affects: Tobacconists
- Guidelines for Registration as a Tobacconist
- Owner Application and Statement of Professional Accountant (PDF)
Submission Instructions:
- Download and complete the application
- Send completed application to
Thunder Bay District Health Unit
999 Balmoral Street
Thunder Bay ON P7B6E7
RE: Tobacco Enforcement
[/ACCORDION_CONTENT] [/ACCORDION_ITEM]
Guide for Retailers
Download the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (2017) Guide for Retailers - updated July 2020 (Aussi disponible en français)
For Further Information
Call the Tobacco Control Program: (807) 625-5900
Or toll-free: 1-888-294-6630