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Requirements under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation

Last updated on October 26, 2023
 
Laws around the sale, display, promotion and use of tobacco and vapour products (electronic cigarettes) are in effect in British Columbia. All retailers and users of vapour and tobacco products must meet the requirements of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulation, the E-Substances Regulation and the Health Hazards Regulation.
 
There are new requirements related to the sale, display and promotion of vapour products. All other requirements for tobacco display, sale and use remain as they are in the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation, as well as the current Tobacco Tax Act and Tobacco Tax Regulation. Your local government may also have requirements, especially around the size of the buffer zone and outdoor restrictions such as playgrounds and sports fields.

What is New

There are new expanded restrictions on advertising vapour products. Vapour products can no longer be advertised in any place, inside or outside, where minors are permitted.  This includes all forms of advertising that can be seen, accessed or heard by a minor.

However, if you have an age restricted sales premises, you may continue to advertise within your business so long as minors cannot see or hear any of the promotional materials from outside of your business.

As of December 13, 2021, ticketing for contraventions of the E-Substance Regulation (ESR) are in force. Retailers could be subject to fines in the form of a ticket for non-compliance with the regulation. Enforcement of the Tobacco and Vapour Product Control Act (TVPCA), the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulations (TVPCR) and the ESR continues to be the primary responsibility of Tobacco and Vapour Product Enforcement Officers employed by Regional Health Authorities. 

For more information on these requirements, please see the following pages:

 

Uner the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, anyone selling tobacco or vapour products must post two mandated warning signs at your cash till or point of sale. You must only use signs provided by the Ministry of Health. Please contact your local health authority to receive your new signs.

To learn more about smoking prevention programs in your area, or to ask questions about enforcement of tobacco and vapour product control laws, contact your local health authority.