Convictions – Smoke Free Ontario Act

Check out up-to-date conviction listings on our new website: Lakelands Public Health!

Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, Public Health Units inspect tobacco and vapour product vendors for compliance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA). If a person and/or business fail to comply with the legislation, charges may be laid by an SFOA inspector.

Disclaimer:

Prospective buyers of tobacco retail dealer premises are strongly encouraged to contact the local public health unit to confirm premises conviction history. A premise with two or more tobacco sales convictions against any owner (past or present) at that address within a five-year period is subject to a Notice of Prohibition Against the Sale, Storage and Delivery of Tobacco Products (known as an automatic prohibition or “AP”).

Section 22 of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA) states that upon becoming aware that there are two or more convictions against any owner for tobacco sales offences committed at the same place within a five-year period, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) shall notify the owner(s) or occupant of the place that the sale, storage and delivery of tobacco products is prohibited at the place.

The MOHLTC accepts requests from public health units for automatic prohibitions where owner(s) of the business was/were convicted of tobacco sales offences on two occasions. The SFOA convictions report published on public health units’ websites lists all tobacco and vapour product sales convictions. Please note that automatic prohibitions do not apply to vapour products sales convictions.