People may start smoking for different reasons, such as stress or social pressure. Quitting can be very challenging, but it is possible with the right support. There are many programs and resources available to help smokers quit and improve their health.
Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular devices, especially for youth. There are safety concerns when vaping that differ from tobacco cigarettes. Grand Erie Public Health supports guidelines concerning the safe and responsible use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
For more information and resources about smoking and vaping, visit the links below.
Vaping is when someone uses a battery-powered device (often called a vape) to inhale a substance like nicotine or cannabis. The device heats a liquid (called e-liquid or e-juice) to make an aerosol (not a harmless vapour) that is breathed into the lungs.
E-liquids usually contain nicotine, come in different flavours, and are mixed with ingredients like glycerol and propylene glycol. Unlike smoking, vaping doesn’t involve burning tobacco.
Vaping is sometimes seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but safer does not mean harmless.
- If you are an adult who currently smokes tobacco, switching completely to vaping is less harmful than continuing to smoke.
- If you do not smoke, you should not start vaping.
It’s important to only buy vaping products (nicotine or cannabis) from authorized Canadian retailers. Changing or modifying vape devices, or using them with products not made for vaping, can cause serious health problems, including severe lung damage. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and battery charging.
For more information, visit: Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products | ontario.ca
Health risks of vaping:
- Vaping nicotine can cause addiction and physical dependence.
- Vaping exposes your body to chemicals that can irritate and damage your lungs and airways.
- Choosing products with less nicotine can lower some risks, but does not make vaping safe.
Short-term effects may include:
- Light-headedness
- Throat irritation
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Coughing
Long-term risks of vaping nicotine:
- Addiction or dependence
- Harm to the developing adolescent brain
- In youth, it can affect learning, memory, attention, mood, and behaviour
- Worsening of depression and anxiety
- Increased risk of starting to smoke tobacco cigarettes
Vaping-associated lung illness (VALI):
VALI is a serious condition where vaping causes lung damage. It is not contagious, but it can be life-threatening. People with VALI often need hospital treatment, and in severe cases, intensive care and breathing support. The long-term effects of VALI are not yet known.
Who is most at risk?
Research shows vaping is especially harmful for youth and pregnant women.
If you use vaping products and find it hard to stop, your health care provider can help.
- If you smoke or vape, talk to your health care provider for advice on quitting.
- If you started vaping to quit smoking and now want to stop vaping too, your health care provider can guide you through the next steps.
- Always store vaping products (devices, liquids, pods, and cartridges) safely and out of reach of children and teens.
- Watch for signs of vaping-associated lung illness (VALI). If you notice symptoms like trouble breathing, coughing, or chest pain, seek medical care right away or go to the Emergency Department.
For more advice on reducing the risks of vaping nicotine, check out the Lower-Risk Nicotine Use Guidelines.
There are several approved aids in Canada to help people quit smoking. These include:
- Nicotine replacement therapies (like the patch, gum, inhaler, or lozenge)
- Prescription medications
- Natural health products such as cytisine
Vaping products are not approved in Canada under the Food and Drugs Act. This means they are not available by prescription from your health care provider, and companies are not allowed to advertise them as quit-smoking tools.
However, some research suggests that vaping nicotine may help more people quit smoking compared to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or counselling alone.
In Ontario, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 sets rules about where vaping is not allowed.
It is against the law to vape or hold an activated e-cigarette in:
- Enclosed public places and workplaces
- Any place where smoking is already banned
- Public and private schools
- Within 20 meters of school grounds, playgrounds, or community recreation facility grounds
If you vape in a place where it’s not allowed, you can be fined $305.
It’s also against the law to sell or give a vapour product to anyone under 19. The fine for supplying a vapour product is $490.
Smoking tobacco is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. It reduces your overall health and has negative health effects on nearly every organ in the body. Half of all long term users will die of a tobacco related illness. Learn more about the health effects of smoking from Health Canada.
Cardiovascular diseases
People who smoke are more likely to have cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease/heart attacks, blood clots, and stroke.
Cancer
Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body. 85-90% of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, is caused by smoking. Smoking also causes cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and esophagus. It contributes to leukemia, and cancers of the bladder, stomach, kidneys and pancreas.
Respiratory illness
Smoking increases your risk of developing a respiratory (breathing) illness such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) – a term that includes both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It also worsens respiratory conditions such as asthma. The Lung Health Foundation provides information on asthma and other respiratory conditions caused or affected by smoking.
Pregnancy risks
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of:
- Early delivery
- Stillbirth (death of the baby before birth)
- Low birth weight
- Sudden infant death syndrome (known as SIDS or crib death)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Orofacial clefts in infants
For more information, see Smoking in Pregnancy (Health Canada)
Nicotine dependence
Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco that makes it difficult for people to stop using it. It Nicotine is present in all forms of tobacco including cigarettes, cigars and chew. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has lots more information on nicotine dependence.
Second and third-hand smoke
There is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure; health risks increase the more you are exposed. Learn more about second-hand smoke and how it affects you from the Canadian Cancer Society.
Third-hand smoke is the toxic chemicals from smoke that settle into fabrics, carpet, skin, hair, toys and walls. Making your home and vehicle smoke free are the best ways to protect yourself and your family.
Ontario has updated the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to better protect youth from the harms of vaping. These rules limit how flavoured and high-nicotine vape products can be sold.
As of July 1, 2020:
- Only specialty vape stores and licensed cannabis retail stores can sell flavoured vape products. Other stores may only sell tobacco, menthol, and mint flavours.
- Vape products with high nicotine (more than 20 mg/ml) can only be sold in specialty vape stores.
- Specialty vape stores cannot have indoor displays or promotions that are visible from outside the store.
Other rules:
- It is illegal to sell or supply e-cigarettes or vape parts (like batteries or atomizers) to anyone under 19.
- Retailers must post signs about these rules and ask for ID if someone looks under 25.
For questions, call Grand Erie Public Health at 519-753-4937 ext. 6472 or email communityhealth@geph.ca
Learn more: Ontario’s rules for selling tobacco and vapour products
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act is a law that helps protect people’s health by banning smoking in enclosed workplaces and public places.
Public health Tobacco Enforcement Officers make sure the law is followed. They do this by:
- Carrying out regular inspections
- Following up on complaints
- Laying charges when needed
If you have a question or want to make a complaint about smoking, call:
Brantford-Brant
519-753-4937 ext. 6455
Haldimand-Norfolk
519-900-9600 ext. 3477
To email a request for information or file a complaint, please email SFOA@geph.ca
All complaints are confidential.
If you sell tobacco products, please review the Smoke-Free Ontario Act Guide for Retailers to learn about your responsibilities.
Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products – Province of Ontario
Please Note: Grand Erie Public Health no longer provides in-person smoking cessation programming, but can support individuals in finding community services and resources. For support, contact: 519-753-4937 ext. 6472.
Fact sheets:
Need Help Quitting Smoking or Vaping – Fact Sheet for Teens (PDF)
Need Help Quitting Smoking or Vaping – Fact Sheet for Adults (PDF)
Tobacco and Pregnancy – Fact Sheet (PDF)
STOP on the Net
An online program from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for adults 18+.
- Free nicotine patches and gum/lozenges mailed to your door
- 6 weeks of treatment provided
- Need an email address to register
- Learn more and register: Join STOP on the Net | Nicotine Dependence Services
Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) Community Program
- Telephone consultation
- Enrollment in nicotine replacement voucher programs
- 6 weeks of NRT mailed to you
- 6-month follow-up consultation
- Must be 18+ with a phone number or email address
- To register: Call 1-888-645-5405 and leave your contact information
Pregnets (Moms & moms-to-be)
Smokers’ Helpline
- Free personalized quit-smoking support
- Online self-help tools, discussion forums, inspirational emails, and a Quit Buddy community
- Text iQuit to 123456 to connect
STOP Program (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients)