Bylaws related to smoking

Tobacco Reduction Act

The Tobacco Reduction Act prohibits smoking in public places and workplaces. It specifies that smoking is not allowed within 5 meters of a doorway, window, or air intake. The Act also sets guidelines for displaying signs with tobacco products and prices. It defines the responsibilities of inspectors and grants them the authority to carry out these tasks. Certain retailers, like tobacconists, are exempt from certain display and promotion conditions outlined in the Act. However, specific requirements must be met for these retailers to qualify for exemption.

The Tobacco Reduction Act also restricts tobacco sales. Specifically:

  • Retail displays, advertising and promotion of tobacco products are prohibited.
  • Tobacco sales are not permitted from health care facilities, public post-secondary campuses, pharmacies, and stores that contain a pharmacy.

E-cigarettes

We changed The City of Calgary Smoking Bylaw to include a ban on using e-cigarettes in public places where tobacco use is not allowed.

There is one exception to this rule: trying out e-cigarettes is allowed in standalone, enclosed vape shops. However, this exception does not apply to smoking e-cigarettes at kiosks in malls or other places like restaurants or bars.

The City has kept an eye on how e-cigarettes are used in vape shops. The conclusion is that minors trying or sampling e-cigarette products in these shops is not a problem. After talking with nearby businesses, it was decided that sampling e-cigarette products inside a store is not an issue.

Smoking and vaping bylaw

While the municipal Smoking and Vaping Bylaw remains in effect, the provincial Tobacco Reduction Act is the most restrictive piece of legislation and is primarily used when investigating a smoking complaint.

The Smoking and Vaping Bylaw covers infractions at/in:

  • Olympic Plaza
  • +15 systems
  • Outdoor recreational areas: Smoking is not permitted within five metres of outdoor pools, outdoor skating rinks, playgrounds, skate parks or sports fields.

Please refer to the actual legislation for more detailed information. Original copies of the Smoking and Vaping Bylaw are available at the City Clerk's office.

Filing a complaint

If you know of a smoking infraction and would like to report it, please call 311 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary) or use the 311 app or:

Submit a complaint online

To help us respond faster, please be ready with the following information:

  • Your name and address
  • A primary and alternate phone number
  • The address and exact location of the property for which you wish to register a complaint
  • A brief and concise description of the complaint

This information will remain confidential. No anonymous complaints will be accepted - you must identify yourself with the 311 service representative.

Please include any related photos when reporting a complaint with the 311 app. This will assist the investigating officer.

Learn more about filing a bylaw complaint and the process.

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