Updated October 11, 2026. This is a plain-language summary for adults, not legal advice. Laws change, and the official sources are linked at the end.
The short version
- You must be 19 or older to buy vaping products in Ontario.
- Stores must ask for ID if you look under 25.
- The places where you can't vape in Ontario are almost the same as the places where you can't smoke: indoor workplaces and public places, restaurant and bar patios, around playgrounds, sports fields and schools, and indoor common areas of condos and apartment buildings, among others.
- You can't vape in a vehicle if anyone inside is 15 or younger.
- If you're convicted of vaping where it's banned, the fine can be up to $1,000 for a first offence.
What is the legal vaping age in Ontario?
19. Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, no one may sell or supply a vapour product to anyone under 19. Federal law sets 18 as the minimum across Canada, but provinces can set a higher age, and in Ontario the provincial age of 19 applies.
When will a store ask for ID?
Ontario law requires sellers to ask for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25, and to be satisfied that the person is at least 19 before selling. At a specialty vape store, no one under 19 is allowed inside at all, with narrow exceptions such as employees. Using someone else's ID to buy is an offence too.
At Vape Discounts, our staff ask for valid government photo ID from anyone who looks under 25. Our age verification page lists the ID we accept.
Online orders and delivery
The same age rules apply online. Ontario's Ministry of Health says online sellers must have a process to verify a customer's age and to make sure the person receiving the delivery is at least 19. Federal law also makes it an offence to send or deliver a vaping product to anyone under 18. That's why you'll need valid government photo ID showing you're 19 or older when your order arrives, and why orders can't be left at the door. Here's how our local delivery works.
Where you can't vape in Ontario
These rules apply whether or not the vapour contains nicotine. Ontario bans vaping:
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In enclosed workplaces, even when they're closed.
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In enclosed public places: the inside of any building, structure or vehicle that has a roof and is open to the public.
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On restaurant and bar patios, plus public areas within 9 metres of the patio.
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On and around children's playgrounds: the playground plus public areas within 20 metres.
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On and around publicly owned sports fields and spectator areas, plus public areas within 20 metres. Golf courses are excluded.
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At community recreation facilities run by a municipality, the province, a non-profit or a charity: the outdoor grounds plus 20 metres.
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At schools, public and private: inside, on school grounds, and in public areas within 20 metres of the grounds.
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At hospitals: inside and on the outdoor grounds, and within 9 metres of entrances and exits of hospitals, long-term care homes and some other health facilities.
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At child care centres and home child care, at all times, whether or not children are there.
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In indoor common areas of condos, apartment buildings and university or college residences, such as hallways, elevators, stairwells, lobbies, laundry rooms and parking garages.
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In reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment venues.
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In sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls, such as bus shelters.
- On the outdoor grounds of certain provincial government office buildings.
Toronto: parks, building entrances, transit and venues
Can you vape in Toronto parks?
Not near many park facilities. The City of Toronto's parks page says you can't smoke or vape within 20 metres of sports fields, playgrounds and playground equipment, wading pools and splash pads, skateboard and BMX parks, ski hills, outdoor swimming pools and pool decks, covered picnic shelters and gazebos, outdoor theatre spaces, and public washrooms. The City also lists swimming beaches, zoo and farm areas, service lines and waiting areas, and designated off-leash dog areas as places where you can't smoke. If you're not sure whether a spot allows vaping, follow the posted signs or ask 311.
Building entrances
Toronto's bylaw against smoking within 9 metres of public building entrances covers lit products, and Toronto Public Health says it doesn't extend to vaping. Provincial rules still apply around hospitals, long-term care homes, schools, playgrounds and community recreation facilities, as listed above, and many buildings set their own no-vaping policies for their property.
The TTC
Don't vape on the TTC. Provincial law bans vaping in enclosed public places, which include vehicles open to the public, and in sheltered areas such as bus shelters.
Pearson, the zoo and concert venues
Toronto Pearson's terminal buildings are vape-free; vaping is only allowed in designated outdoor smoking areas. The Toronto Zoo describes itself as entirely smoke- and vaporizer-free, and many venues ban vaping in their codes of conduct. Rogers Stadium's, for example, prohibits e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers. Check a venue's rules before you go. Flying somewhere? See our guide to flying with a vape.
Can you vape in your car?
Not if anyone in the vehicle is 15 or younger. Ontario bans vaping in a car or other motor vehicle while a child under 16 is inside, whether it's moving or parked. The set fine on a ticket is $125, and the maximum fine is $250.
Can you vape in your condo or apartment?
Not in the indoor common areas. Hallways, elevators, stairwells, lobbies, laundry rooms, shared amenity rooms and parking garages are all covered by the provincial ban. Inside your own unit, provincial law doesn't ban it, but your condo corporation's rules or your lease may. Check them.
Can you vape in a hotel room?
Only in fully enclosed guest rooms that the hotel has designated for it. Everywhere else inside a hotel, motel or inn, it's banned.
Can you vape at work?
Not in an enclosed workplace, even when it's closed. Employers can also set their own rules for outdoor areas on their property.
Nicotine strength and flavour rules
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Nicotine: since July 2021, federal rules cap the nicotine in vaping products at 20 mg/mL everywhere in Canada. Every legal product's label shows its nicotine concentration in mg/mL.
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Flavours: since July 1, 2020, Ontario allows convenience stores and other regular retailers to sell only mint, menthol and tobacco vaping products. Other flavoured products can only be sold in age-restricted specialty stores, such as specialty vape stores registered with the local board of health.
Fines
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Vaping where it's prohibited: if you're convicted, up to $1,000 for a first offence and up to $5,000 for further offences. The set fine on a ticket is $250.
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Vaping in a vehicle with someone 15 or younger: a $125 set fine, and a maximum of $250.
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Presenting ID that wasn't issued to you: a $150 set fine.
What might change
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Ontario Bill 125 (proposed, not law). The Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act (Vaping is not for Kids), 2026 is a private member's bill introduced by NDP MPP France GΓ©linas with three co-sponsors. It passed first reading on May 26, 2026, and hasn't gone further. It would raise the vaping age to 21, allow only tobacco flavour, ban vaping promotion and online sales, and require board of health approval for vape stores. A similar bill in 2023 didn't get past first reading.
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Federal flavour limits (proposed). In 2021, Health Canada proposed limiting vaping product flavours to tobacco and mint/menthol. Its regulatory plan, last updated in July 2026, lists the timing of the final rules as "to be determined."
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Federal online age checks (proposed). Health Canada plans new rules on verifying the age and identity of buyers for online and distance sales, with a draft expected in fall 2026.
We'll update this page when the rules change.
Common questions
Is vaping illegal in Ontario?
No. Adults 19 and older can buy and use vaping products, but where you can vape is restricted, as listed above.
Can I vape on a restaurant patio in Toronto?
No. Ontario bans vaping on restaurant and bar patios and in public areas within 9 metres of them.
Do these rules apply to nicotine-free vapes?
Yes. Ontario's rules on where you can't vape apply whether or not the vapour contains nicotine.
Can a 19-year-old buy a vape for an 18-year-old friend?
No. Ontario bans selling or supplying vaping products to anyone under 19.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, Where you can't smoke or vape in Ontario
- Government of Ontario, Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products
- Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017
- Ontario Court of Justice, set fines under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017
- Toronto Public Health, Smoke-Free Ontario Act fact sheets and Municipal Code Chapter 709 (Smoking)
- City of Toronto, Parks bylaw enforcement
- Ontario Ministry of Health, online sales fact sheet for retailers
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Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and the Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations
- Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Bill 125
- Health Canada, Forward Regulatory Plan
- Toronto Pearson, Designated smoking and vaping areas; Toronto Zoo, Safety; Rogers Stadium, Know before you go
