Legislation
Legislation or laws and policies about tobacco use and promotion have changed significantly in the past 30 years. These changes have helped to reduce smoking and tobacco use. Such laws and policies also create healthier, cleaner public spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Newfoundland and Labrador currently has two pieces of legislation that govern tobacco issues in the province. The Smoke-Free Environment Act 2005, directs where tobacco use is allowed, and The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act directs how and where tobacco can be sold and distributed. Up-to-date information on this legislation can be found at: Tobacco Control, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador also follows tobacco laws outlined by the Canadian Government. A synopsis of which can be found at: Tobacco Control, Government of Canada.
Smoking is not permitted in public indoor spaces, and progress is being made with outdoor spaces. Policies have been implemented by various organizations including schools and health-care organizations that ban smoking anywhere on their property. For more information, please visit: Smoke-Free Environment Policy, Eastern Health.
To date, close to 90 towns and cities in Newfoundland and Labrador, which contain about 73 per cent of the province’s population, have policies to restrict smoking in outdoor municipal sports and recreation spaces. The work is continuing.
Eliminating the use of tobacco in places where children are will help stop children from starting to smoke.
For information about how your group or community can move towards a smoke-free policy, please visit the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco website.
Services related to this information:
- 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
- NL Smokers’ Helpline