Introduction

The Non-Smokers’ Rights Association/Smoking and Health Action Foundation developed and maintains a searchable database of smoke-free laws across Canada, with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. The database identifies bylaws and laws that exceed one or more provisions of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) related to second-hand smoke or e-cigarettes.

It generally does not cover provisions regarding other tobacco control issues such as flavoured tobacco products or advertising and promotion.

Last update:  Current to March 28, 2018

Search by Keyword

If you would like to try searching by keyword, you may do so below. Or try applying different filters using the options in this search area. Once you have applied your search filters, press the Search button to view your results.

Province or Territory
Level of Government
Jurisdiction
Places Smoking Prohibited
Buffer Zones
Age Restrictions
Leading Edge?
Smoke-free Ontario Act (SFOA) Status
Products Included
Date Passed
From Date: To Date:
Date Last Amended
From Date: To Date:

Check here if you wish to search for bylaws under development.

 

Note about the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA)

Bill 174, An Act to enact the Cannabis Act, 2017, the Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation Act, 2017 and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, to repeal two Acts and to make amendments to the Highway Traffic Act respecting alcohol, drugs and other matters was introduced on November 1st, 2017, and received Royal Assent in a nimble 42 days, on December 12th, 2017. The new SFOA is expected to come into effect on April 1st, 2018.

However, until further notice, this database includes laws and bylaws that have at least one provision that exceeds the current SFOA. For details regarding the new law, SFOA, 2017, please use the searchable field.

If you notice any errors or omissions, please contact us.

“Leading Edge” Standards for Smoke-Free Laws and Bylaws

You may notice that some of the entries in the database are listed as being “leading edge.” What exactly does “leading edge” mean?

For the purposes of this database, we wanted a way to draw attention to laws and bylaws with novel elements. Since there is no consensus on what “best practices” are or what “gold standard” means, we gathered together a group of our public health partners to discuss what elements would constitute “leading edge.”

Based on those discussions and other input, we came up with a list of outdoor spaces where, by prohibiting smoking there, a municipality / province / territory is leading the way for the rest of the country. A bylaw or law can also be considered leading edge by prohibiting use of one of the devices or substances listed, whether indoors or outdoors, e.g., waterpipes.

We acknowledge that “leading edge” is a moving target. As social policy continues to evolve across Canada, “leading edge” status of laws and bylaws will be re-evaluated.