Post-Secondary Institutions

Smoking and vaping is not permitted in the indoor common areas of college and university residences. This includes elevators, stairwells, hallways, parking garages, laundry facilities, lobbies, exercise areas and party or entertainment rooms.

Additional restrictions on smoking and vaping may exist in school policies.

It is prohibited to sell tobacco or vapour products on all college and university campuses. This applies to:

  • a college of applied arts and technology
  • a university or other institution that receives funding from the Ontario government for the purpose of providing post-secondary education
  • an institution offering post-secondary education programs that is affiliated with a university

It covers buildings that are owned or areas that are leased by colleges, universities or student unions that are used to provide educational programs or recreational or residential services, to students.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) requires that proprietors of colleges and universities make sure that smoking and vaping laws are followed. A proprietor includes the owner, operator or person in charge of the place.

Every proprietor must:

  • give notice to the residents and visitors that smoking and vaping is prohibited in the smoke-free and vape-free areas
  • post “No Smoking” and “No Vaping” signs, or a dual “No Smoking and No Vaping” sign at entrances, exits and washrooms of the smoke-free and vape-free areas, in appropriate locations, and in sufficient numbers to ensure that staff and residents are aware that smoking and vaping is not allowed.
  • ensure that no ashtrays or similar items remain in the smoke-free and vape-free areas
  • ensure that persons do not smoke or vape in the smoke-free and vape-free areas
  • ensure that someone who refuses to comply with Ontario’s smoking and vaping laws does not remain in the smoke-free and vape-free area.

Any individual convicted of an offence for selling tobacco or vapour products on a college or university campus could be subject to a maximum fine ranging from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on the individual’s number of prior convictions.

Any corporation convicted of an offence for selling tobacco or vapour products on campus could be subject to a maximum fine, ranging from $5,000 to $75,000, depending on the corporation’s number of prior convictions.

An individual who violates the prohibition on smoking and vaping in a smoke-free or vape-free area may be charged and if convicted, may face a maximum fine of $1,000 (for a first offence) or $5,000 (for any further offence).

A proprietor of a university or college residence that fails to fulfill their responsibility under the law may be charged and if convicted, may face a maximum fine:

Signage responsibilities

  • For individuals:
    • $2,000 for a first offence
    • $5,000 for a second offence
    • $10,000 for a third offence
    • $50,000 for four or more offences
  • For corporations:
    • $5,000 for a first offence
    • $10,000 for a second offence
    • $25,000 for a third offence
    • $75,000 for four or more offences

Other responsibilities

  • For individuals:
    • $1,000 for a first offence
    • $5,000 for two or more offences
  • For corporations:
    • $100,000 for a first offence
    • $300,000 for two or more offences

 

Print the Post-Secondary Institutions Fact Sheet.