Requirements for tobacco and vapour product retailers

If you sell tobacco and/or vapour products, you must follow the legislation. The legislation regulates how products can be sold, displayed and promoted. Contraventions may have penalties.

On this page

• E-substances reporting in B.C.
• Regulations on sales
• Display and promotion requirements
• Required warning signs

E-substances reporting in B.C.

Business owners must use the BC E-Substances Reporting Application to submit their notification and reporting requirements. Business owners must:

• Notify the Ministry of Health of their intention to sell restricted e-substances at least 6 weeks before their first sale
• Report the products they want to sell to the Ministry of Health at least 6 weeks before their first sale
• Report their sales of vapour products every year before January 15
• For manufacturers, submit manufacturing reports at least 6 weeks before their first sale

Learn more about what defines an e-substance and the Notice of Intent to sell e-substances and reporting requirements in B.C.

Regulations on sales

Age

Any adult over the age of 19 can purchase a tobacco or vapour product.

It is illegal to give or provide any tobacco or vapour products to someone under the age of 19. Retailers must check government-issued identification to confirm a person’s age. For example, a passport, driver’s license or identification card with a photograph.

If you think someone is providing tobacco and/or vapour products to minors, please contact your local health authority to speak to an enforcement officer.

Tobacco regulations

Retailers who want to sell tobacco must apply for a Tobacco Retailer Authorization (TRA) Certificate (PDF, 264KB). A separate certificate is required for each location where tobacco is sold. 

Retailers selling tobacco must only sell cigarettes that are:

• In packages of more than 20 cigarettes
• From unopened packages

Vapour product regulations

Retailers selling vapour products must follow these restrictions:

• Retailers cannot sell e-substances that do not contain nicotine or contain both nicotine and cannabis
• E-substances sold must meet volume, concentration and flavour requirements
• Tobacco or vapour product vending machines can only be used at an age-restricted location where only individuals over 19 can enter

Flavours

There are additional restrictions on flavours:

• Only age-restricted stores (where only individuals over 19 can enter) may sell flavoured e-substances
• All-ages stores may only sell e-substances that taste or smell of tobacco
• No stores may sell the flavours listed in Schedule 3 of the federal Tobacco and Vapour Products Act

Locations that cannot sell tobacco and vapour products

There are a few public places in B.C. that cannot sell tobacco and vapour products. Any stores in the following locations cannot sell vapour products:

• Publicly owned or leased hospital or health care facility
• Publicly owned or leased post-secondary buildings that are used for education, research or student services
• Municipal or regional district buildings used for athletics, recreation or library services
• Buildings owned or leased by government, or crown corporations or agencies of the government

Display and promotion requirements

B.C. bans public advertising and displays from any place, inside or outside, where individuals under 19 can see, access or hear it. This will reduce exposure of tobacco and vapour products to youth that can encourage use.

Outside all establishments

Requirements for displays outside all establishments:

• Retailers cannot advertise tobacco and vapour products outside their store
• Tobacco and vapour products advertisements inside the store cannot be seen from the outside

Inside all-ages stores

Requirements for displays inside all-ages stores:

• Stores cannot advertise tobacco and vapour products inside their store
  • This includes any objects like mugs or hats that promote brands or manufacturers
• Stores can show they have tobacco and vapour products using only basic signs with general information, such as prices of products
  • Signs must be standard letter size or smaller, and may only have small black letters on a white background

Inside age-restricted stores

Requirements for displays inside age-restricted stores (where only individuals over 19 can enter):

• Age-restricted stores can advertise tobacco and vapour products inside the store
• Tobacco and vapour products advertisements inside the store cannot be seen from the outside
• Retailers can show customers how to use vapour products and test products that they want to buy, with conditions

Display requirements for duty-free stores

Duty-free stores must follow the same laws as all other retail stores in B.C., including restrictions on displays of tobacco and vapour products.

Duty-free stores that sell tobacco and vapour products can stop youth from entering or place tobacco and vapour products in age-restricted areas.

Required warning signs

As of April 1, 2026, retailers who sell tobacco products, vapour products or both must display the same warning sign.

There are two mandated signs that all retailers must place at the point of sale:

1. One sign faces the customers and informs them they must be at least 19 years of age to buy tobacco or vapour products.
2. A second sign faces the retailer or employee and reminds them that only people 19 or older with government-issued identification can buy tobacco and vapour products.

You must use signs provided by the Ministry of Health. Please contact your local health authority to receive copies of your signs.