Tobacco and nicotine age limits in Ontario (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Ontario bans selling or supplying tobacco and vapour products to anyone under 19. Smoking and e-cigarette use are banned in enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces and motor vehicles with anyone under 16. Flavoured tobacco may not be sold, and flavoured vapour products other than tobacco, menthol or mint are limited to specialty vape and cannabis stores.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to buy tobaccoTobacco and nicotine products | 19 years [1] |
| Minimum age to buy e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products | 19 years [1] |
| Nicotine pouchesTobacco and nicotine products | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Smoking ban in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine products | Yes [1] |
| Smoking ban on public transportTobacco and nicotine products | Yes [1] |
| Flavoured tobacco and e-cigarettesTobacco and nicotine products | Selling flavoured tobacco products is banned (some cigars and pipe tobacco are exempt). Flavoured vapour products other than tobacco, menthol or mint may be sold only in specialty vape stores and cannabis retail stores. [2] |
| Smoking in cars with childrenTobacco and nicotine products | Smoking tobacco or using an electronic cigarette is banned in a motor vehicle while another person under 16 is present. [3] |
| E-cigarettes in indoor public placesTobacco and nicotine products | Yes. Using an electronic cigarette is banned in enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces, like smoking. [3] |
Notes
- Sellers must ask for identification from anyone who appears to be under 25 (section 3(2)).
- Same section and age as for tobacco.
- No provision on nicotine pouches was found in the statutes read for this jurisdiction. Federal rules on such products were not read.
- Enclosed public place is defined as a covered place, building, structure or vehicle to which the public is ordinarily invited. Exemptions are in section 13.
- The Act does not use the term public transport; vehicles and conveyances to which the public is invited are within the enclosed public place definition.
- Act section 9 and the regulation were read from Internet Archive snapshots of e-Laws, which cannot be read directly.
- Read from an Internet Archive snapshot of e-Laws (consolidation from 28 June 2024).
Sources
- e-Laws, Government of Ontario: Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 26, Sched. 3 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Ontario (e-Laws): O. Reg. 268/18: General, under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (Internet Archive snapshot of 24 February 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Ontario (e-Laws): Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 26, Sched. 3 (Internet Archive snapshot of 13 August 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Canada and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Canada
| Minimum age to buy tobacco | 18 years (source: Government of Canada (Justice Laws)) |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes | 18 years (source: Government of Canada (Justice Laws)) |
Ontario and neighbouring provinces and territories
| Province or territory | Minimum age to buy tobacco | Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes | Nicotine pouches | Smoking ban in indoor public places | Smoking ban on public transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 19 | 19 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
| Manitoba | 18 | 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
| Quebec | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | Yes | Yes |
More rules in Ontario
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceEarliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervising driver
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Power-assisted bicycle · Minimum age: 16 years
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $17.95 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free, touch limited
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (7-day suspension) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero if 21 or under or G1/G2/M1/M2
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.