Contents
- Chronic Disease/Injury Prevention and Built Environment
- Healthy Eating and Food Security
- Injury Prevention
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Environments
- Tobacco Control Program
Ministry of Health
Contraventions of the Tobacco Control Act
Under the Tobacco Control Act, it is illegal to sell, offer to sell, distribute, advertise or promote the use of tobacco to individuals under 19 years of age. Other offences include failing to post age and health warning signs as required, selling cigarettes in packages of fewer than 20 cigarettes, selling cigarettes from open packages, using tobacco on school property, smoking in a prohibited place, or displaying or promoting tobacco or tobacco products in a prohibited manner.
Compliance and enforcement activities are conducted by Tobacco Enforcement Officers of the health authorities, and may also be enforced by other law enforcement agencies. Law officers may issue tickets for contraventions of the Act and regulation.
More information:
Administrative Reviews for Retail Contraventions
In cases where violations of the Tobacco Control Act or regulation are considered to have been made by retailers, the violation may be referred to either the provincial court system or to the Administrator of the Tobacco Control Act.
More information:
- Decisions
- Flowchart: Retail Enforcement Options Under the Tobacco Control Act (PDF 139K)
- Rules for Administrative Hearings under the Tobacco Control Act (PDF 127K)
Fine Amounts for Contraventions of the Tobacco Control Act and Regulation as Provided under the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation, B.C. Reg. 89/97
Ticketed Provision |
Contravention |
Fine Amount |
Section 2(2) |
Sell tobacco to person under 19 |
$575.00 |
Section 2(3) |
Sell cigarettes from open package |
$575.00 |
Section 2(4) |
Sell tobacco where prohibition order applies |
$575.00 |
Section 2.1(1) |
Sell tobacco in prohibited place |
$575.00 |
Section 2.2(2) |
Use tobacco on school property |
$ 58.00 |
Section 2.2(4) |
Permit tobacco use on school property |
$575.00 |
Section 2.3(1) |
Smoke or hold lighted tobacco in prohibited place |
$ 58.00 |
Section 2.3(3) |
Permit tobacco use in prohibited place |
$575.00 |
Section 2.3(4) |
Permit tobacco use in workplace |
$575.00 |
Section 2.4(a) |
Display products in prohibited manner |
$575.00 |
Section 2.4(b) |
Promote tobacco in prohibited manner |
$575.00 |
Section 10.1(a) |
Fail to display prohibition order sign |
$575.00 |
Section 10.1(b) |
Fail to display prohibition sign in accordance with requirements |
$575.00 |
Section 4 |
Sell cigarettes in packages containing fewer than 20 |
$575.00 |
Section 5(1) |
Fail to display warning |
$345.00 |
Section 5(2) |
Fail to affix warning |
$345.00 |
Monetary penalties and prohibition periods
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