Legislation Comparison Chart
Ontario’s tobacco laws have changed a lot in the past two decades.
1994: The Tobacco Control Act (TCA) banned tobacco sales in pharmacies and other places, called for separate smoking areas in buildings and raised the legal smoking age to 19.
2006: The Smoke-Free Ontario Act went further. Smoking was prohibited in workplaces, bars and restaurants and home health care workers were protected from second-hand smoke.
2008: Tobacco displays in stores were prohibited.
2009: Drivers cannot smoke in vehicles where children are present and Ontario vendors cannot sell youth-targeted products such as flavoured cigarillos.
These rules protect Ontarians, especially youth and children, from second-hand smoke. They also restrict sales and marketing strategies that target minors, in order to keep youth safe from tobacco’s health effects.
Feature of Legislation |
Tobacco Control Act 1994 |
Smoke-Free Ontario Act |
|---|---|---|
100% smoke free public places province-wide, including casinos, bingo halls, bowling and billiard establishments, restaurants and bars |
No |
Yes
|
Designated smoking rooms |
Allowed |
Restricted |
Controlled smoking areas (CSAs) at residential care facilities that protect residents and healthcare workers |
No |
Yes |
Smoking on patios |
Allowed |
Restricted |
Protection for Home Health Workers |
No |
Yes |
Smoking at exits to health care facilities |
Yes |
No |
Retail Cigarette Promotion Allowed |
Yes |
No |
Ban on any tobacco displays |
No |
Yes — immediate restrictions leading up to a total ban on May 31, 2008 |
Minimum age to purchase tobacco |
19 |
19 |
Apparent age to which identification to be provided |
19 |
25 |
Smoking in motor vehicles when children under 16 are present |
Allowed |
Restricted |
Selling flavoured cigarillo products |
Allowed |
Restricted |
