Canada’s second largest province has banned smoking at outdoor patios at bars and restaurants, sports fields, playgrounds and ice rinks. The law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, carries a $250 fine. The law does not ban smoking at public parks in the province, although some local governments have passed laws doing just that.

In addition, the sale of tobacco products will now be illegal on college campuses throughout the province.

Previously, Ontario was one of two provinces that has considered banning flavored tobacco sales in the province, something the new legislation does not address. 

Ontario has a population of nearly 13 million and includes the cities of Toronto, Ottawa and Niagara Falls. Two years ago, Toronto examined expanding its smoking ban to exclude smoking at outdoor bar and restaurant patios.

Avatar photo

Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.