Tobacco & Vapour Prevention & Control

The Tobacco and Vapour Prevention and Control program plays a primary role in provincial tobacco and vapour product reduction and enforcement, and administering the CRD Clean Air Bylaw.

Provincial tobacco and vapour reduction

Supporting healthy, smoke-free living

Our goal is to support improved health for residents in the Island Health region by reducing the use of tobacco and vapour products. 

We focus on educating the public about the long-term risks of smoking through our prevention services:

• Smoke-Free Spaces
• Get Help to Quit
• Helping People Quit

Provincial tobacco and vapour enforcement 

In British Columbia, the sale and use of tobacco and vapour products is governed by the Tobacco Control Act and regulation. 

This legislation restricts the sale (including sales of tobacco to minors), distribution, advertising and promotion of tobacco and vapour products, and locations where tobacco and vapour products may be used. 

We work with retailers and minors to enforce these laws:

• Tobacco and Vapour Retailers 
• B.C. Tobacco Laws

On September 1, 2016, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation came into effect, replacing the Tobacco Control Act and Regulation.

The new Act and Regulation restricts the display, sale and use of vapour products and will be consistent with the existing laws related to tobacco. Additionally, the provincial buffer zone around all doorways, open windows and air intakes will increase to six metres.

For more details on the new laws, please read the Requirements under the tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation information document.

Capital Regional District (CRD) Clean Air Bylaw

The Capital Regional District has a bylaw to further promote clean air by regulating the burning or vaping of substances in public spaces. The Clean Air Bylaw No. 3962 makes all parks, playgrounds, playing fields, public squares and bus stops in the Capital Regional District free from smoke from tobacco, vapour and cannabis product. It also sets smoke-free buffer zones outside of business doorways, windows and air intakes to seven metres.  

Contact us if you:

•    have concerns regarding a retailer selling tobacco or vapour products to minors under the age of 19

•    have questions regarding compliance with the B.C. Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act or Regulation or E-Substances Regulation

•    need more decals for your business 

•    have questions regarding the CRD Clean Air Bylaw No. 3962 

The Tobacco Prevention and Control program is not responsible for enforcing compliance with Island Health’s Smoke Free Premises Policy. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with Island Health’s Smoke Free Premises Policy rests with the site manager for each location across the region.