In Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), the regional Tobacco and Vapour Products Enforcement Program ensures tobacco and vapour product retailer compliance with respect to the Provincial
Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation (TVPCA & TVPCR). A combination of education, monitoring activities and progressive enforcement are used to obtain compliance.
Routine inspections form the foundation of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Enforcement Program, these inspections represent an opportunity to educate the retailer & assess compliance with display, advertisement and signage requirements. Routine inspections are conducted when businesses first start selling tobacco or vapour products, when there is a change in ownership, and then semi-annually to confirm ownership, provide information, signage and to check compliance. All aspects of the program are discussed during the routine inspection.
Compliance checks are done to gauge a retailer's compliance with the regulations respecting the sale of tobacco & vapour products to those of legal age. A team of Minor Test Shoppers (MTS) are recruited and trained to assist the Tobacco Enforcement Officer's (TEOs) when conducting compliance checks.
TEOs utilize appropriate discretion when applying increasing levels of enforcement to ensure regulated parties comply with regulatory requirements. Progressive enforcement includes education, warnings, and finally to various penalties if non-compliance continues which can include provincial violation tickets, long-from prosecution, and administrative penalties.
It
is the responsibility of the store owner to ensure that they and their staff
know and comply with the TVPCA & TVPCR. Download the 
Retailer resource and information pamphlet for more information and helpful tips.