Laws and regulations

The sale, display, promotion and use of tobacco and vapour products in British Columbia are subject to both federal and provincial laws. In BC, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act regulates the sales, promotion and use of tobacco and vapour products. The Public Health Act and the E-Substances Regulation also regulate the sale of vapour products. For more information about Laws and regulations, please visit Tobacco and Vapour Products.

The legal age to buy vapour products in BC is 19. There are also restrictions around the capacity and volume of vapour products, and the strength of nicotine that can be legally sold (maximum of 20mg/mL).

Just like tobacco products, vaping products cannot be used in public buildings and workplaces, near doorways or air intakes of public buildings, or on school property. 

BC retailers are only allowed to sell vapour products that contain nicotine, nicotine salts or cannabis. It’s illegal to sell vapour products that only contain flavours. Any vapour product without nicotine or cannabis is not regulated and considered “black market”.  

Getting vapes from friends or online could put you at risk. If you choose to vape, make sure it’s from a legal source.  

What about cannabis\THC products?

Edibles, concentrates and topicals were legalized on October 17, 2019, and products were available in retail outlets in mid-December. Health Canada requires companies to provide 60-days notice before new products are taken to market, so this accounts for the delay in products being available for purchase.

Items can be purchased from legal outlets including the BC Cannabis Store Online.

For more information on the products that are allowed, visit Health Canada.

Find out more

Tobacco and Vapour Products website

Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act

Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulation