Tobacco & Vapour Control

In B.C., the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation restricts the display, promotion, and sale of tobacco and vapour products (e-cigarettes) to minors, and protects the public and employees from harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

In B.C., the E-Substances Regulation restricts the sale, distribution and packaging of vapour products. All e-substances are covered by legislation and it does not matter if the e-substance contains nicotine or is nicotine-free.

• British Columbia Lung Association - Vaping and Lung Health
• Interior Health -  Vapour Products Fact Sheet

• Requirements under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation
  • Information for Tobacco Retailers
  • Information for Vapour Product Retailers
  • Tobacco Retailer Authorization
• Requirements under the Public Health Act and E-Substances Regulation
  • B.C.’s E-Substances Regulation Retailers’ Guide
  • Notice of Intent to Sell E-Substances and Reporting Requirements
• Federal Tobacco and Vapour Products Act
• Interior Health
  • Tobacco and Vapour Product Facility Information
  • Tobacco Retailers - Training for Staff
  • Tobacco & Vapour Products Information

Our Toolkit – Vaping School Properties provides resources to school district staff and others who are working to address the use of vapour products among youth.

School compliance information is available to advise both public and private schools of their responsibilities for showing reasonable care and diligence with the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.

The following resources are also available:

• Tobacco Resources for Schools
• Vaping & Youth: Factsheet for Parents
• About Vaping (Health Canada)
• Vaping and Lung Health (British Columbia Lung Association)
• Respecting Tobacco (First Nations Health Authority)

IH’s Smoke-Free Environment policy means that smoking and vaping are not permitted on our owned and/or operated premises, facilities, grounds and vehicles.

For patients in hospital who smoke or vape, free Nicotine Replacement Therapy is available to help you remain comfortable during your stay. Talk to your doctor or health-care provider if you would like assistance.

If you are an Aboriginal patient and interested in the traditional use of tobacco, please discuss with your IH Aboriginal Patient Navigator.

Families, visitors and outpatients are asked to not smoke or use e-cigarettes while on our property.

• Second-hand smoke and vaping aerosols come from burning or heating a cigarette, cigar, pipe or e-cigarette, and by the smoke and vapour blown out by the person smoking or vaping.  
• Second-hand smoke and vaping aerosol contain harmful, toxic and cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals. 
• Two-thirds of cigarette smoke is not inhaled by the smoker, but enters the air around the smoker.
• Second-hand smoke and vaping aerosols seriously hurt your health. Researchers estimate that second-hand smoke kills at least 1,100 Canadians every year.
• We’re still learning about the effects of aerosols produced from e-cigarettes. Initial research suggests that vaping aerosols are not safe. 
• Did you know that it’s prohibited to smoke or use vapour products in a vehicle with children under the age of 16 in B.C.?  See the provincial Motor Vehicle Act to learn more.

Third-hand smoke is the toxic chemicals in smoke that stick around even after the person has stopped smoking. Third-hand smoke is trapped in hair, skin, fabric, carpet, furniture and toys.

• American Non Smokers’ Rights Foundation: Electronic Smoking Devices and Secondhand Aerosol
• American Thoracic Society: What are Second and Third-hand Smoke and Vaping Aerosols?
• Health Canada: Second-Hand Smoke
• HealthLinkBC: The Harmful Effects of Second-Hand Smoke
• Interior Health: Babies Need Breathing Space brochure
• Smoke-Free Housing BC
• WorkSafeBC: Smoking-Related Toxins