Fines for Selling Cigarettes to Minors in Canada 2026

The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA), which came into force on May 23, 2018, establishes the primary federal framework for regulating tobacco and vaping products in Canada . Section 8(1) of the TVPA clearly states:

The definition of a “young person” under the TVPA is anyone under 18 years of age . However, provinces can set higher age limits — most provinces (including Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia) have set the minimum age at 19 . The federal prohibition serves as a baseline, and stricter provincial requirements take precedence.

In addition to direct sales, the TVPA also prohibits:

• Sending or delivering tobacco/vaping products to a young person (Section 9(1)) — crucial for online sales .
• Selling tobacco products by means of a self-service display (Section 11) — products must be kept behind the counter .
• Selling cigarettes in packages containing fewer than 20 cigarettes (Section 10(1)) — to prevent affordable “kiddie packs” .

The TVPA establishes a graduated penalty system for violations, with significantly higher fines for repeat offenders. For selling or furnishing tobacco/vaping products to a young person under Section 8(1), the penalties are :

• First offence: Fine not exceeding $3,000 upon summary conviction .
• Subsequent offences: Fine not exceeding $50,000 .

📊 2026 Contraventions Regulations Update

In January 2026, the federal government amended the Contraventions Regulations (SOR/2026-11), significantly increasing fines for TVPA violations and modernizing offence descriptions . The updated regulations allow inspectors to issue on-the-spot fines ranging from $100 to $2,000, avoiding lengthy court proceedings .

Under the new regulations, the fine for “Furnishing a tobacco product or vaping product to a young person” (Section 8(1)) is set at $2,000 as a ticketed contravention .

📊 Complete Federal Fine Schedule (2026)

While federal laws provide a baseline, provinces can impose their own penalties for underage tobacco sales. British Columbia has one of the most comprehensive provincial penalty systems, with fines and prohibition orders managed under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act .

📊 British Columbia Penalty Schedule (April 1, 2026)

Under BC’s Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Regulation, the minimum age is 19 years . Penalties for selling to minors include:

• First contravention: Monetary penalty of $0 – $1,000 and potential prohibition period of 0–30 days .
• Second contravention: Monetary penalty of $0 – $3,000 and potential prohibition period of 0–90 days .
• Third and subsequent contraventions: Monetary penalty of $0 – $5,000 and potential prohibition period of 0–180 days .

🏛️ Other Provincial Age Requirements

• Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nunavut, NWT, Yukon: Minimum age 19
• British Columbia: Minimum age 19