Beginning March 31, 2008, virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in BC are smoke-free.

This means that it is against the law to smoke in any indoor public place or worksite, including pubs, bars, restaurants, and shopping centres. In addition, there is a 3 metre non-smoking “buffer zone” around public and work place doorways, opening windows and air intakes. Designated smoking rooms are a thing of the past.

Public transit, transit shelters, taxis and work vehicles are also smoke-free.

Download the brochure for information on what you should know about BC’s new tobacco laws. Click here for BC HealthFile information on how to make your home, workplace or car smoke-free.

What is the distance around the doorways, opening windows or air intakes of public or work places where smoking is not permitted?
I know that I cannot smoke inside my workplace, but can I smoke in an outdoor shelter provided by my employer?
Is smoking in transit shelters permitted?
Can I smoke in my private vehicle or in my house?
I live in an apartment building. Can I smoke there?
Can I smoke in my hotel room?
I am a resident in a long term care home. How do these changes affect long term care residents?

What is the distance around the doorways, opening windows or air intakes of public or work places where smoking is not permitted?

The distance is 3 metres.
This “buffer zone” will not apply to hospitality patios used in conjunction with a public place where food or beverages are being served, or to casino or bingo hall patios, provided that:

• the patio is not fully or substantially enclosed;
• the doorways are kept closed except to enter or exit the patio, and
• windows or air intakes are closed at all times when the patio is in use.

I know that I cannot smoke inside my workplace, but can I smoke in an outdoor shelter provided by my employer?

Some employers may choose to provide an area outside of the indoor work area to accommodate their employees who smoke. However, this outdoor area must be open enough that it would not be considered a substantially enclosed space, as defined by the new tobacco regulations and must be outside the 3 metre buffer zone. Shelters must also meet any WorkSafeBC workplace requirements.

Is smoking in transit shelters permitted?

Transit shelters are smoke-free, but bus stops (without a sheltered area) are not smoke-free.

Can I smoke in my private vehicle or in my house?

Yes, you can smoke in your private vehicle or house, provided it is not a workplace.

I live in an apartment building. Will I still be able to smoke there?

You can smoke in your apartment but not in the common areas, such as the elevators, hallways, parking garages, party or entertainment rooms, laundry facilities, lobbies and exercise areas.

Click here for BC HealthFile “Drifting Second-hand Smoke in Multi-unit Dwellings”.

Can I smoke in my hotel room?

Yes, you can smoke in your hotel room (unless it has been designated a non-smoking room by the hotel).

You cannot smoke within 3 metres of the doorways to the hotel, or within 3 metres of any open windows or air intakes around the hotel.

I am a resident in a long term care home. How do these changes affect long term care residents?

Residents or persons in care of facilities licensed or registered under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act, and patients in extended care facilities or private hospitals (refer to Sec 1 and Part 2 of the Hospital Act) can smoke in designated smoking rooms if one is provided. Staff and visitors cannot smoke in these rooms. Municipalities, health authorities or the facility itself may have more stringent restrictions in place and those restrictions would apply.