Tobacco & Vapour Products Enforcement Program
Related topics: Health protection, permits and licensing Tobacco & vapour control
In Vancouver Coastal Health, the regional Tobacco and Vapour Products Enforcement Program ensures tobacco and vapour product retailer compliance with various Provincial regulations and acts. A combination of education, monitoring activities and progressive enforcement are used to obtain compliance.
- Vancouver Coastal Health’s Regional Tobacco & Vapour Products Enforcement Program works with retailers to support compliance with the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act (TVPCA), Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulation (TVPCR), and E-Substances Regulation (ESR). The program uses a combination of education, inspections, and progressive enforcement, to promote and maintain retailer compliance.
- All tobacco and vapour retailers in British Columbia are responsible for understanding and adhering to the requirements of the legislation. Retailers should develop plans, implement strategies, and monitor their operations to comply with legislation. This includes ensuring that all staff members are properly trained and following operational plans.
- Enforcement of the provincial act and regulations are carried out by Tobacco & Vapour Enforcement Officers.
Resources
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Ministry of Health
Requirements to submit a Notice of Intent, products report, and sales report to the Ministry of Health.
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B.C.’s E-Substance Regulation – Retailer’s Guide
An overview of E-Substance Regulation for business owners and retailers.
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Ministry of Health – Notice to Retailers information
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Tobacco Retail Authorization (TRA)
A TRA is required for each retail location in B.C. that sells tobacco. Retailers must hold a unique TRA for each location in B.C. that sells taxable tobacco, including vending machines. Important note: The TRA certificate is not transferable, and you must display your TRA in a prominent place where you sell tobacco.
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Retailer Resource and Information Pamphlet
Information and helpful tips to ensure you and your staff are trained and comply with the ESR, TVPCA & TVPCR.
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Smoke-Free Housing BC
Information and strategies to support people suffering from exposure to second-hand smoke.
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BC Healthy Living Alliance
Works to advance and support health-promoting policies, environments, programs and services so that British Columbians have more opportunities to be healthier.
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Application form
Routine inspections
Routine inspections are a key component of the Tobacco & Vapour Products Enforcement Program. These inspections represent an opportunity to educate retailers and assess compliance with product, display, advertisement, and signage requirements. Inspections are conducted:
- When businesses first begin selling tobacco or vapour products
- When there is a change in ownership
- To provide information, signage, and verify compliance
Minor test shopper compliance checks
Compliance checks are conducted to assess whether retailers are following regulations regarding the sale of tobacco and vapour products to those of 19-year-old and over. To support these checks, a team of Minor Test Shoppers (MTS) are recruited and trained to assist the Tobacco & Vapour Enforcement Officer (TVEO) when conducting compliance checks.
Progressive compliance & enforcement
A progressive compliance and enforcement model is utilized when applying increasing levels of enforcement to ensure regulated parties comply with regulatory requirements. This includes education, warnings, and if theses early steps are unsuccessful in gaining compliance, various penalties such as issuance of provincial violation tickets, correction orders, pursuing long-form prosecution, and administrative hearings to seek out administrative penalties.
Contact us
For general information email tvp@vch.ca.
Complaints & feedback
Submit complaints and feedback to Tobacco & Vapour Products Control Program here:
Hours of operation
- Monday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed