Smoking and vaping are prohibited in public places and workplaces. Smoking shisha or hookah (a waterpipe used to smoke tobacco and herbal products) is also considered smoking. Please refer to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act(link is external), 2017 and the Smoking and Vaping (By-law No. 2019-241) for more information on smoke-free and vape-free regulations.
To report a smoking or vaping violation, please select from the following list of locations or situations:
Smoking or vaping at a City facility/property(link is external)
Smoking or vaping in a common area(link is external)
Smoking or vaping at a hospital or long term care facility(link is external)
Smoking or vaping at a restaurant, bar, patio(link is external)
Smoking or vaping at a school(link is external)
Smoking Shisha/Hookah(link is external)
Smoking or vaping in the workplace(link is external)
Please note that we will do our best to have a by-law officer attend your location, although it may not be possible for one to arrive in time. We are, however, tracking all reported violations of the smoke-free regulations and the information provided will help us to determine problem areas within the City. With this information, by-law officers can conduct focused enforcement efforts based on data collected from public complaints and from staff reports as well.
The sale of tobacco products, including in-store placement and advertising, is regulated by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.(link is external)
Report tobacco retail signage violation(link is external)
Please note that we will do our best to have a by-law officer attend your location, although it may not be possible for one to arrive in time. We are, however, tracking all reported violations of the smoke-free regulations and the information provided will help us to determine problem areas within the City. With this information, by-law officers can conduct focused enforcement efforts based on data collected from public complaints and from staff reports as well.
For more information
Please refer to the tobacco(link is external) page for more information.
The sale of tobacco products, including in-store placement and advertising, is regulated by the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.(link is external)
Report tobacco retail sales to minors(link is external)
Please note that we will do our best to have a by-law officer attend your location, although it may not be possible for one to arrive in time. We are, however, tracking all reported violations of the smoke-free regulations and the information provided will help us to determine problem areas within the City. With this information, by-law officers can conduct focused enforcement efforts based on data collected from public complaints and from staff reports as well.
For more information
Please refer to the tobacco(link is external) page for more information.
Tobacco retailers can request new or additional signage, such as health warnings or age restrictions.
If you’re concerned about the potential presence of lead in your tap water, you can request a water quality test.
Drinking water provided by the City of Ottawa is lead-free. However, trace amounts of lead can dissolve into drinking water during contact with your home’s lead pipes (including your water service pipe), brass fixtures, and lead solder. This may impact the safety of your tap water.
Ottawa residents who live in homes built after 1958 are at little or no risk of lead exposure through tap water. In limited instances, homes built after 1958 may be impacted if connected to an older watermain.
For more information on keeping your tap water lead-free, please consult our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Request to have your home’s drinking water tested for lead.(link is external)