Laval Smoking Bylaw Guide for Business Owners

Public Health and Welfare Quebec 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Quebec

Laval, Quebec business owners must follow provincial and municipal rules that limit where people may smoke or vape on commercial premises and in public places. This guide explains common obligations for employers, retail and hospitality operators, and building managers in Laval, summarizes enforcement pathways and practical steps to reduce liability and respond to complaints.

Where smoking is banned

Under Quebec tobacco control laws and municipal rules, smoking and vaping are generally prohibited in enclosed public places and workplaces, and in many shared outdoor spaces adjacent to entrances and patios. Business owners should assume indoor public access areas, employee break rooms, common areas and customer service points must be smoke-free.

Post clear no-smoking signage at entrances and remove ashtrays to show compliance.

What business owners must do

  • Publish and display no-smoking/no-vaping signs where customers and employees enter.
  • Remove fixed ashtrays and any amenities that encourage smoking in prohibited zones.
  • Train staff to politely enforce the ban and document incidents and warnings.
  • Designate a contact person to handle complaints and liaise with municipal enforcement.

Penalties & Enforcement

City and provincial instruments set out enforcement for smoking and vaping offences; exact fine amounts and escalation steps depend on the controlling statute or municipal bylaw cited by inspectors. Where the municipal page or provincial act does not list amounts or escalation on the public summary, this guide notes that those figures are "not specified on the cited page" and directs readers to the official sources for exact schedules.[1][2]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease the activity, compliance orders, or court actions may be issued by inspectors.
  • Enforcer: municipal By-law Enforcement (Service de l'application des règlements) and provincial public health inspectors, with inspection and complaint pathways published by the City of Laval and provincial authorities.[2]
  • Appeals/review: the controlling statute or municipal bylaw sets appeal routes and time limits; where not shown on the summary pages the time limits are not specified on the cited page.
Keep dated incident notes and witness names in case of an enforcement visit.

Common violations

  • Indoor smoking in customer areas after warnings.
  • Smoking within prohibited distance of entrances or patios when local rules apply.
  • Failure to display required signage or removing municipal signs.

Applications & Forms

No specific provincial or municipal permit for allowing smoking in enclosed public places is published on the cited municipal summary page; where a business seeks an exemption or variance it must contact By-law Enforcement to confirm whether a formal application exists. The municipal page does not publish a standard exemption form or fee schedule for tobacco-related variances (not specified on the cited page).[2]

How to comply if you run a bar, restaurant or shop

  1. Audit indoor and outdoor customer areas for any space where smoking might occur and mark prohibited zones.
  2. Install clear no-smoking/no-vaping signage at all public entrances and near patios.
  3. Remove ashtrays and discourage customers from bringing smoking paraphernalia into prohibited areas.
  4. Train staff on the script to ask customers to stop smoking and how to escalate to management.
  5. Log complaints, actions taken and any notices from inspectors.
If you receive a municipal order, respond by the deadline and retain proof of compliance.

FAQ

Where exactly is smoking prohibited?
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in enclosed public places and workplaces; local municipal rules may extend restrictions to certain outdoor public spaces—consult the official pages linked below for the controlling instruments.[1][2]
Do I need to display signs?
Yes. Business owners should display no-smoking/no-vaping signs at entrances and in public areas; the municipal summary indicates signage requirements though a specific form is not published on the public summary page.[2]
How do I report a violation or get inspected?
Contact Laval By-law Enforcement through the City complaint page or provincial public health authorities; follow the official complaint form or phone contact on the municipal site.[2]

How-To

  1. Identify all indoor and outdoor areas used by customers and employees that may be subject to the smoking ban.
  2. Install required no-smoking/no-vaping signage at every public entrance and at visible points inside the premises.
  3. Remove ashtrays and other smoking aids from prohibited areas to prevent tacit permission.
  4. Train staff to enforce the ban politely and record incidents in an incident log.
  5. If inspected, provide inspectors with your compliance records and correct any deficiencies by the stated deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • Assume indoor public and workplace spaces must be smoke-free and post signage.
  • Document warnings and incidents to reduce enforcement risk.
  • Use official municipal contacts for complaints and to ask about exemptions.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] LegisQuébec - Loi sur la lutte contre le tabagisme (contrôle provincial)
  2. [2] Ville de Laval - Contrôle des règlements et plaintes

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