Tobacco and vapour enforcement

Tobacco and Vapour Products Enforcement Program

The Northern Health regional Tobacco and Vapour Products Enforcement Program is committed to protecting public health through rigorous enforcement of provincial regulations governing tobacco and vapour products. We also educate the public, monitor compliance, and enforce relevant laws and legislation.

Legislative framework

Our operations are guided by the following provincial statutes and regulations:

These legislative tools collectively prohibit the sale of tobacco and vapour products to minors (under 19 years of age), restrict product display and promotion, ensures the sale of compliant products, and regulates usage in designated areas. 

Public engagement and reporting

Inspection reports about enforcement activities and compliance checks are available to the public online at Tobacco and Vapour Inspection Reports.

Complaints reporting

We encourage public participation in our enforcement efforts. To report potential complaints:

Email: php@northernhealth.ca
Phone: 250-565-7322
Online reporting of illegal sales of tobacco/vapour products: Report tax tip

Note: If you are seeking information to make the decision to stop using commercial tobacco products or vapour products visit Northern Health’s smoking and tobacco reduction page. If you’d like to learn about traditional uses of tobacco visit the respecting tobacco page on the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) website.

Additional information

Tobacco and vapour enforcement officers are encouraged to apply safety, respect, courtesy, responsibility guiding principles in enforcing the act(s) and regulation(s) by:

Retailer compliance and education

Objectives:

  • Enforce laws restricting sale, distribution, advertising, and use of tobacco and vapour products.
  • Support improved health by reducing tobacco and vapour product use.

Initiatives:

  • Educating retailers and the public.
  • Distribution of compliance manuals and other information material to the retailers.
  • One-on-one consultations with Tobacco and Vapour Enforcement Officers (TVEOs).
  • Regular updates on legislative changes and best practices.

Inspection and monitoring

Routine inspections:

  • Conducted by designated TVEOs.
  • Assessment of product display, advertisement, and mandatory signage.
  • Verification of retailer authorization and compliance documentation.
  • Evaluation of age-verification protocols.

Compliance checks:

  • Utilization of Minor Test Shoppers (MTS) aged 16-18.
  • Adult compliance checks.
  • Rigorous protocols to maintain legal and ethical standards.
  • Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and high-risk areas.

Enforcement strategy

We employ a progressive enforcement model:

Education and warning:

  • Verbal and written warnings.
  • Compliance education.

Administrative sanctions:

  • Correction orders.
  • Monetary penalties.

Legal proceedings:

  • Provincial violation tickets.
  • Long-form prosecution.
  • Administrative hearings.