A Specialty Vape Store is a business registered with the local Board of Health that primarily sells vapour products.
A retailer can register as a Specialty Vape Store if the following criteria are met:
Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017), registered Specialty Vape Stores are permitted to display and promote vapour products. Specialty Vape Stores may allow customers to view vapour products before the point of purchase as well as handle them.
This rule applies to heat-not-burn e-cigarette devices intended for use with tobacco, but packaged without the tobacco component. However, the tobacco component of a heat-not-burn e-cigarette device (e.g., heat stick) cannot be displayed or promoted, unless the retailer is registered as a tobacconist. For more information, please see the Fact Sheet for Tobacconists.
The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces, including vapour product retailers. However, the SFOA, 2017 and its regulation provide an exemption for the testing and sampling of vapour products in specialty vape stores.
In order to display and promote vapour products, and allow customers to test or sample vapour products, the Specialty Vape Store must also comply with the following conditions:
“No Smoking” , “No Vaping”, or dual “No Smoking” and “No Vaping” signs must be posted at all store entrances, exits and washrooms, in appropriate locations and sufficient numbers, so that everyone knows that smoking and vaping is not permitted.
All Specialty Vape Stores must post, in clear view of the customer at the point of sale:
Specialty Vape Stores that sell tobacco products for use with electronic cigarettes (e.g., heat-not-burn) must post, in clear view of the seller and customer at the point of sale:
Order or print “No Smoking”, “No Vaping” and retailer signs for your establishment.
Apply to register as a Specialty Vape Store.
Print the Specialty Vape Stores Fact Sheet.