Is Smoking Allowed in Taxis and Uber in Canada?

Taxis and rideshare vehicles fall under provincial workplace smoking laws because they are considered “enclosed workplaces” where employees (drivers) work[citation:2]. The federal Non-smokers’ Health Act also applies to federally regulated workplaces and common carriers[citation:1].

• 📋 Enclosed workplace definition: Taxis are considered work spaces for drivers. As such, they are subject to provincial smoke-free workplace laws[citation:2].
• 🚭 Smoking is not permitted in taxis: Under British Columbia regulations, taxis are considered enclosed workplaces, and smoking is not permitted[citation:2].
• 🚫 Driver responsibility: “As the driver, it is your responsibility to respect that, and to ensure your passengers do, too”[citation:2].
• 🛑 You may refuse service: “You may refuse to transport passengers who are smoking, conducting themselves in a disorderly manner, using profane or offensive language, or are acting in such a manner as to be offensive to the driver or other passengers”[citation:2].

Quebec’s Tobacco Act (Loi concernant la lutte contre le tabagisme) has some of the most detailed provisions regarding smoking in vehicles[citation:3].

• 🚕 Taxis are explicitly covered: “il est défendu de fumer… dans les taxis, les transports en commun et les véhicules utilisés pour le travail, si le véhicule contient au moins 2 personnes”[citation:3] — Smoking is prohibited in taxis, public transit, and vehicles used for work if the vehicle contains at least 2 people.
• 🚗 Company cars with 2+ occupants: “Employees cannot smoke in their own vehicle if it’s being used for business purposes and there is one other employee in the vehicle — even if both are smokers”[citation:9].
• 💰 Fines: Individual smokers face fines from $50 to $500[citation:9]. Businesses face fines from $400 to $10,000[citation:9].
• 📋 The intent: The law aims to protect both drivers and passengers from secondhand smoke exposure[citation:9].

Ontario’s Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits smoking in a wide range of places, including vehicles used as workplaces[citation:5].

• 📜 Scope: The Act applies to “motor vehicles” and specifically mentions taxis[citation:6][citation:10].
• 🚫 What’s prohibited: Section 12(1) prohibits: “Smoke or hold lighted tobacco,” “Smoke or hold lighted cannabis,” “Use an electronic cigarette”[citation:5].
• 💰 Penalties: Smokers can be fined up to $600; businesses face fines up to $10,000[citation:6][citation:10].
• 📅 Since 2006: The Smoke-Free Ontario Act replaced a patchwork of municipal rules across approximately 150 communities[citation:6][citation:10].

Uber has its own strict no-smoking policy that applies regardless of local laws[citation:7].

• 🚫 No exceptions: “No, Uber’s smoking policy applies to all drivers and passengers without exceptions”[citation:7].
• 👨‍✈️ Driver responsibility: Drivers must inform passengers that smoking is not allowed and may refuse service[citation:7].
• ⚠️ Consequences for drivers: “Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, including the suspension or deactivation of a driver’s account”[citation:7].
• 👥 Passengers can report: “Passengers have the ability to report any violations they observe during their ride, including smoking. Uber takes these reports seriously and may investigate and take appropriate action”[citation:7].
• 💧 What about vapes/e-cigarettes? E-cigarettes are also prohibited: “This includes traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and even smokeless tobacco products”[citation:7].

The federal Non-smokers’ Health Act applies to federally regulated workplaces, including “common carriers” such as taxis and rideshare vehicles that operate across provincial or international borders[citation:1].

• 📜 Authority: The Act permits the Governor in Council to make regulations “permitting the designation of the whole or any part of aircraft, trains, motor vehicles or ships as areas or rooms for smoking”[citation:1].
• ⚠️ In practice: Most provinces have implemented stricter regulations that effectively ban smoking entirely in taxis and rideshare vehicles.

While you cannot smoke in taxis or Uber vehicles, many Canadians still smoke. Native cigarettes (Playfare, Canadian, DuMont, Nexus, Rolled Gold) offer an affordable alternative for use at home or in permitted outdoor spaces.

• 💰 Cost savings: Native cigarettes cost $29-50 per carton — compared to $140-180 for commercial brands — a savings of 70-80%.
• 🚫 Not “healthier”: Native cigarettes contain the same nicotine, tar, and carcinogens as commercial brands.
• 📦 Online delivery: Cigstore.ca ships to every province and territory with $29 flat shipping (free over $290).
• 🚭 Smoking in taxis is still illegal: No brand of cigarette — native or commercial — is permitted in taxis or rideshare vehicles.