Where Can You Use Your Vape?

Understanding where you can and can't use your vape is essential to avoid breaking laws and remain courteous to other Canadians. This guide aims to clarify the legalities and social etiquette surrounding vape use in Canada.

Read on for tips about where to avoid vaping in public or indoors, where you can vape legally, and how to travel with a vape within Canada.

Where is Vaping Legal in Canada?

Vaping is always legal in Canada when you're in your own home. If you're a guest in a home where vaping is tolerated or inside your own home, these private areas are not open to the public, so they do not have any restrictions in place around vaping. Inside a private home is your safest bet to vape anywhere inside the country.

There currently are no federal Canadian laws that expressly prohibit vaping. Still, most territories and provinces have regulations limiting vaping by banning its use in certain areas. The provinces and territories with the strictest rules on where smoking or vaping is banned include Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

Generally speaking, vaping is legal in outdoor public areas, as long as it's not at the following places, where vaping is often prohibited across the country, depending on the specific territory or province:

• playgrounds
• publicly owned sports areas
• venue outdoor seating areas
• community recreational facilities
• outdoor locations of a hotel
• outdoor spaces at or near schools or childcare/elder care facilities.

Is It Legal to Vape in Public in Canada?

Certain public areas allow for vaping in Canada, while others are more strict. Vaping in public spaces, including any indoor public places such as bars, restaurants, shops, theatres, casinos, retailers, recreation centers, public transit/vehicles, public beaches, and playgrounds is often prohibited. Here's a look at where you should not vape in Canada in public by location type.

Healthcare Facilities: BC, AB, ON, QU, NB, NS, PEI, NL, YK, NWT, NU

Childcare Facilities: AB, SK, ON, QU, NB, NS, NL, YK, NWT, NU

School Property: BC, AB, SK, ON, QU, NB, NS, YK, NWT, NU

Post-secondary Property: NS, PEI, NL

Workplaces: BC, AB, MB, ON, NB, NS, PEI, NL, YK, NU

Indoor public places: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, NB, NS, PEI, NL, YK, NWT, NU

Restaurant/bar patios: AB, MB, ON, QU, NB, NS, PEI, NL, YK, NWT, NU

Public transit/vehicles: AB, SK, MB, ON, QU, NB, NS, PEI, NL, YK, NWT, NU

Private cars with minors: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QU, NB, NS, NL, YK, NWT, NU

Playgrounds: AB, ON, QU, NB, NS, NWT, NU

Outdoor recreational facilities: AB, ON, QU, NB, NS, NWT, NU

Outdoor cultural events: AB, NU

Parts of provincial parks: MB, ON, NB, NS

Public beaches (all or some): MB, ON, NB, NS

Any territory or province you see listed above means vaping products are banned in that respective location by provincial or territorial law.

Using common courtesy still goes a long way if you're considering vaping in an area not listed here. If you're near children, pregnant women, or any vulnerable populations, consider relocating before using your vape device to limit the amount of secondhand vapour they may inhale. If unsure, it's always wise to ask politely for permission to use a vape device before doing so.

Is Indoor Vaping Allowed?

Vaping indoors in your own home or another private residence is always allowed, but indoor vaping in places available to the public gets a bit more tricky.

There is only one province where vaping is not expressly prohibited in indoor public transit areas or vehicles, such as trains, buses, Ubers or Lyfts – British Columbia. Otherwise, across Canada, vaping is generally not allowed indoors.

Similarly, there is only one province where vaping in indoor public places (including restaurants and bars, shops and retailers, casinos, recreation centers, and theatres) is not explicitly banned – Quebec. Here, you may find more leniency to use a vape device in areas like a bar or casino, but asking the person in charge of your establishment is still polite.

Can You Travel Within Canada With a Vape?

Travelling with a disposable vape inside Canadian territory is allowed if you follow a few rules. Note that laws may change from area to area, determining where you can and can't legally use your vape. As you cross territorial or provincial boundaries, ensure you're current on the regulations in that area to avoid breaking the law.

Regarding travelling on a plane with a vape, safety and security in consideration of the device's battery is of the utmost importance. According to the CATSA, you are allowed to travel on a plane from one place in Canada to another location in Canada with a vape, but it must be under 100 ml. It also typically must be located in the carry-on luggage. However, you will want to check with your airline carrier to confirm.

In case of an accident with the device, keeping it in the passenger portion of the plane allows easier access to the device if needed. You often can't travel with a vape device in your checked luggage, so remove it and relocate it to your carry-on bags before boarding or going through security. Check with your carrier for further details.

Using vapes should be avoided in Canadian airports. Most airports have a designated outdoor smoking or vaping area that can be used if necessary. 

Final Thoughts

Canada has a variety of regulations in place for vapers to follow, but the good news is that vaping is not entirely banned! You may still use your vape device in many places, as long as it's done so with careful consideration and respect for others. Always be aware of any updates or changes to these laws before travelling to new areas, and respect the restrictions to ensure that vaping remains a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

If you're looking for high-quality vapes to use where they're legally allowed in Canada, check out RELX's selection of vapes for a satisfying and responsible vaping experience.