Tobacco Control

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in Canada. Tobacco use not only affects the individual smoker but also affects the people around them as exposure to second-hand smoke is harmful to our health.

In addition to cigarettes, more and more people, especially our youth are becoming addicted to nicotine by using vapes or electronic cigarettes. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by a vaping product, such as an electronic cigarette. Vaping does not require burning like cigarette smoking. The device heats a liquid into an aerosol (sometimes known as “vapour” and mistakenly called “water vapour”).

While the science is evolving and no vaping products have been approved as cessation aids, evidence suggests that vaping nicotine (using e-cigarettes), can help adults quit smoking. If you are an adult that currently smokes, switching completely to vaping is a less harmful option than continuing to smoke.

The long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown.  It is not a harmless product and it not intended for use in youth as vaping nicotine can lead to physical dependence and addiction.  Kids and teens are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of nicotine because brain development continues throughout adolescence and into early adulthood.  For more information visit www.truthaboutvaping.ca.

Through a comprehensive approach that includes public education, policy and legislation, cessation programs, taxation and community and school programs, the provincial government aims to:

  • Prevent children and youth from starting to use tobacco or vapes
  • Support people to quit smoking and vaping, and
  • Protect people from exposure to second hand smoke or vapour

The Department of Health and Community Services works in collaboration with other government departments, NL Health Services, school districts and community partners to implement programs and policies aimed at preventing and reducing nicotine use.

Currently, 86% of people in our province (15 and older) are choosing to live smoke-free. However, vaping rates continue to rise among our young people, which is leading to an increase in nicotine addiction.   Our efforts must continue in order to achieve our long-term goal of creating a smoke-free/nicotine free province.

Legislation

Recent Changes to the Smoke-free Environment Act, 2005 and the Tobacco Control Act (499 KB)

The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act

  • aims to reduce the number of young people who begin to smoke by restricting youth access to tobacco, vapour and non-tobacco shisha products,
  • makes it illegal for anyone, including retailers, family and friends, to give or sell tobacco, vapour and non-tobacco shisha products, to youth under the age of 19
  • restricts how tobacco, vapour and non-tobacco shisha products, products can be displayed, stored and promoted at retail (Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulations)
  • limits the type and number of establishments that sell tobacco, vapour and non-tobacco shisha

The The Smoke-Free Environment Act 2005:

  • aims to protect the public from exposure to second-hand smoke
  • promotes the creation of healthy public environments
  • prohibits smoking in all indoor public places (including bars, decks and bingo halls), workplaces and in motor vehicles while persons under 16 years of age are present
  • prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes in indoor public places (restaurants, licensed liquor establishments), workplaces and in motor vehicles while persons under the age of 16 are present
  • prohibits designated smoking and designated e-cigarette rooms in workplaces (Smoke-free Environment Regulations)
  • prohibits hookah/water pipe smoking in indoor public places and workplaces

Quitting Smoking and/or Vaping

Quitting smoking or vaping is the one of the best things a person can do for their health and it’s never too late to quit. The Provincial Government is committed to supporting actions that reduce nicotine addiction and promote healthy living in our communities.

Provincial Smoking Cessation Program

The Provincial Smoking Cessation Program aims to improve access to quit smoking medications and nicotine replacement products by contributing to the cost of these products for individuals who are eligible under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) Access, Foundation and 65+ Plans.

Smoker’s Helpline

Smokers’ Helpline: “You Can Quit. It’s YOUR call”. 1-800-363-LUNG (5864).

Through the programs and services of the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association Smokers’ Helpline, thousands of individuals from across the province have received support in their efforts to quit smoking.

The Helpline provides a free, confidential and convenient telephone and text service with trained counsellors supporting individuals in developing a quit plan to stop smoking. Other services include web-based counselling, group counselling, workplace programs, health professional fax referral program, self-help materials and information on how to help friends and family to quit. The services are easily accessible (located in St. John’s) by calling 1-800-363-5864 or visiting: www.smokershelp.net

Helping Women Live Smoke-Free

Helping Women Live Smoke-Free is a resource for everyone who works with pregnant and post-partum clients. This comprehensive resource package was designed to equip community-based service providers (such as Family Resource Centre staff), and health care providers (such as nurses), with a standardized set of resources to help pregnant and post-partum people address nicotine addiction.  With this approach and these resources, a client can receive consistent information, be supported by a continuum of community partners/services and health care providers, and receive tailored approaches based on evidence and best practices to meet their needs.

Resources for this resource can be found here: Helping women – Smokers Helpline

Smoke-Free Provincial Health Authorities (Inside, Outside, Everywhere)

NL Health Services has a 100% smoke-free policy which includes all outdoor properties.

School Smoking Prevention

All school districts prohibit smoking and vaping on all school properties, and tobacco and vaping prevention resources have been developed to link to the curriculum.

Please support tobacco and vape- free schools by:

  • supporting school’s efforts to promote a healthy learning environment
  • complying with the policy by not using nicotine products while on school grounds
  • ensuring your children are aware of the policy and consequences
  • support school officials in enforcing the policy
  • encourage children and youth to say no to cigarettes and vapes, and don’t give them, or provide easy access to, nicotine products

Smoke-free Schools Poster (1.7 MB)
Students’ Choice, Grade 9 Tobacco Prevention Resource (6.1 MB)

Smoke-Free Sports and Recreation

Currently every municipality in the Province with a population of over 500 people has implemented a 100% smoke-free outdoor sport and recreation area and events policy.

These polices prohibit smoking on all outdoor sport facilities including playgrounds, soccer and softball fields.

Several provincial sport organizations have adopted a 100% smoke-free policy including soccer, softball and baseball.

Alliance for the Control of Tobacco

The Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) is a coalition of organizations committed to the prevention and reduction of tobacco and vaping use in the province. ACT’s partners represent a broad range of groups including professional associations, provincial and municipal governments, public health, education, recreation and sport, and non-profit organizations.

Together with its partners, ACT is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring a Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy which sets out a coordinated plan for tobacco and vaping control activities in the Province. Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy

Partner Websites