WARNING: Vaping products contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical.
Health Canada
For adults of legal purchasing age only. In British Columbia, the minimum age is 19.
British Columbia has some of the most detailed vaping rules in Canada. They come from two levels of government: the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and excise rules, and BC's own Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and regulations. This guide sets out what those rules mean for adults buying and using vaping products in BC. It is general information, not legal advice; if you need certainty about your situation, check the official sources linked at the end.
The rules at a glance
| Minimum age | 19 |
|---|---|
| Maximum nicotine | 20 mg/mL |
| Flavours other than tobacco | Adult-only (19+) stores only |
| Cartridge size | Up to 2mL (cartridges sold with or holding nicotine e-liquid) |
| Refill bottles | Up to 30mL |
| Packaging | Plain packaging with required information and warnings |
| Provincial sales tax | 20% PST on vapour products |
| Excise stamp | Peach-coloured Canada vaping excise stamp |
Minimum age: 19
In BC you must be 19 or older to buy vaping products. Federal law sets a national minimum of 18, but provinces can set a higher age, and BC's is 19. Retailers must check ID, and adult-only vape stores can't let anyone under 19 inside. At Vape Father we check government-issued photo ID for every in-store sale and every delivery.
Nicotine limit: 20 mg/mL
Canada limits nicotine concentration in vaping products to 20 mg/mL. Products labelled above that concentration do not meet the concentration limit for Canadian sale. A compliant concentration alone does not establish that a device meets separate capacity, packaging, stamping and sales requirements. For example, the ELFBAR BC Pro 80K listing describes product specifications; those specifications are not regulatory approval.
Flavours: adult-only stores
In BC, e-liquids that taste or smell of tobacco can be sold in any store that sells nicotine e-liquids. All other flavours can only be sold in adult-only stores, where under-19s are not allowed in and customers must show proof of age. That is why you will find flavoured vapes in a dedicated vape shop like Vape Father on Kingsway but not in a corner store.
BC has not banned flavoured vaping products outright. Several other provinces have, which matters if you are buying for someone outside BC. Our guide to buying vapes online in Canada explains the differences.
Container sizes and packaging
- Cartridges sold with or holding nicotine e-liquid: maximum 2mL.
- Refill containers (bottles): maximum 30mL.
- Plain packaging, with the nicotine concentration, total volume, manufacturer name and contact details, brand and product name, and product type.
- Written and symbol warnings on every package.
Keep all e-liquids and devices out of reach of children. Nicotine e-liquid is toxic if swallowed.
Tax: 20% PST
Since January 1, 2020, BC has charged 20% PST on vapour products, up from the general 7% rate. It applies to vaping devices, e-liquids, and their parts and accessories. GST also applies. The 20% rate also applies to vapour products brought into BC from outside Canada, so ordering from overseas doesn't avoid it.
On top of sales taxes, there is a federal excise duty on vaping liquids, collected from manufacturers and importers and shown by the excise stamp on the package.
Excise stamps
Since the federal vaping excise duty took effect on October 1, 2022, packaged vaping products sold in Canada must carry a vaping excise stamp. In BC that is the peach-coloured Canada stamp, also used in Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador. Ten other provinces and territories use their own stamps. A missing or wrong stamp is a sign the product isn't legal for sale in BC. See our guide to spotting fake or illegal vapes for the stamp's security features.
Where you can and can't vape in BC
BC treats vaping the same as smoking in most public places:
- Indoors: no vaping in public places and workplaces, including offices, malls, cafés and stores, and the common areas of hotels, apartments and condos (hallways, laundry rooms, party rooms).
- Buffer zone: no vaping within 6 metres of doorways, open windows and air intakes of public places and workplaces.
- Schools: no vaping on public or private K-12 school property at any time, including parking lots and sports fields.
- Health authority sites: no indoor vaping, except in specially designated rooms for residents.
- Local bylaws: cities can set stricter rules, and the stricter rule applies. Check your municipality's bylaws for parks, beaches and transit.
Testing products in a vape store
BC allows a limited exception in adult-only vape stores. Customers may test products they intend to buy, with no more than two customers sampling at a time, and the store must stop vapour reaching neighbouring premises. Staff can hold and activate devices to demonstrate them but can't vape themselves.
Advertising and promotion
Federal rules restrict vaping promotion, including lifestyle advertising, testimonials, endorsements and youth appeal. Health Canada says online promotions require effective age and identity verification. Self-declared age checks alone are insufficient. Warning presentation must also meet the applicable advertising requirements; adding a warning sentence or using factual specifications does not establish compliance.
What about federal flavour restrictions?
Federal and provincial flavour requirements can change. Check Health Canada's current regulatory information and the destination province's rules before ordering. Do not rely on the status of an earlier proposal as permission to sell or promote a product.
Disposing of vapes
Disposable vapes and pod devices contain lithium batteries. Don't put them in household garbage or blue-box recycling. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off.
Official sources
- BC E-Substances Regulation: nicotine and capacity restrictions
- BC: information for users of vapour products
- BC: PST Tax Interpretation Manual
- CRA: vaping excise stamps
- Health Canada: vaping promotion requirements
- Tobacco and Vaping Products Act
- Warning presentation requirements
FAQ
What is the legal vaping age in BC?
19.
What is the maximum nicotine strength in BC?
20 mg/mL.
Are flavoured vapes banned in BC?
No, but flavours other than tobacco can only be sold in adult-only stores.
How much tax is on vapes in BC?
20% PST plus GST, on devices, e-liquids, parts and accessories.
Can I vape at a bus stop?
Provincial rules focus on indoor spaces, buffer zones and school property, but many municipalities, and TransLink, have their own rules. Check local signage and bylaws.
