Smoke free lifestyle and vaping
Tobacco control
Government actions to control tobacco
The Government of Québec is actively committed to the fight against smoking. Other actions aim to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.
The following is a summary of key actions it has taken toward this goal since 1995.
| Year | Actions |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Launch of 1st Plan d’action québécois de lutte contre le tabagisme. The 1st phase of this initiative began with the drafting and passing of the Tobacco Act. Québec ranks among societies most strongly committed to legislative measures to combat smoking. |
| 1997 | Declaration of tobacco control as one of 7 national public-health priorities for 1997−2002. |
| 1998 | Tobacco Act is passed. |
| 2000 | Inclusion of funding for nicotine-withdrawal therapies on list of prescription drugs covered by the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan. |
| 2001 | Taxes on tobacco raised. This measure enables an increase in funding for tobacco control. Drafting and implementation of the Plan québécois de lutte contre le tabagisme 2001-2005 (in French only). This plan introduces a comprehensive and integrated “de-normalization” strategy that aims to change society’s attitudes toward smoking and tobacco products. Investment increased, allowing the stepping up of:
|
| 2002 | Reference framework developed and the implementation of the Plan québécois d’abandon du tabagisme Taxes on tobacco raised, allowing an increase in funding for tobacco control |
| 2003 | In its Québec Public Health Program 2003−2012, the government identifies the following objectives:
|
| 2004 | The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux initiates a new information campaign on second-hand smoke. This campaign is aimed at making the public aware of the harm associated with exposure to tobacco smoke in public places, particularly in restaurants and bars. |
| 2005 | Passage of the Act to amend the Tobacco Act and other legislative provisions. |
| 2006 | In May, the Tobacco Act comes into effect for some public places. This Act covers the use, provision and promotion of tobacco products. Other legislative measures also come into effect in September. Publication and dissemination of the Plan québécois de lutte contre le tabagisme 2006-2010 (in French only), extended until 2015. This plan is recognized as a support, in Québec, of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. |
| 2008 | Come into effect:
|
| 2009 | Adoption of the Tobacco-Related Damages and Health-Care Costs Recovery Act. As of June 1, the amount paid by a consumer for one or more tobacco products other than cigarettes must be greater than $10. |
| 2010 | Publication and dissemination of the Plan québécois de prévention du tabagisme chez les jeunes 2010−2015 (in French only) |
| 2015 | Passage of the Loi visant à renforcer la lutte contre le tabagisme. This Act amends the Tobacco Act, which becomes the Tobacco. Some legislative provisions come into effect when the Act is passed on November 26, 2015. To learn about them, visit the Tobacco control Act page. |
| 2016 | Other legislative provisions came into effect on May 26, August 26 and November 26. To learn about them, visit the Tobacco control Act page. |
| 2017 | Health and social services establishments and post-secondary institutions had until November 26 to adopt a policy for creating a smoke-free environment. |
| 2020 | Publication and dissemination of the Stratégie pour un Québec sans tabac 2020-2025 (in French only). |
Smoking cessation support services
There are various services available to support people wanting to quit smoking. These services are also continuously promoted to smokers in Québec:
- I QUIT NOW – Help and support services to quit smoking or vaping
- Quit smoking centre for in-person help
- I QUIT NOW helpline: 1-866-527‑7383
- I QUIT NOW online help
- De Facto – Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec
- Québec sans tabac (in French only)
- Quit to Win! Challenge
- Short Messages Against Tobacco (SMAT) (in French only) – Canadian Cancer Society
Links of interest
Visit other websites to learn more:
- Live smoke-free – Canadian Cancer Society
- Tobacco and electronic cigarettes – Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ)
- Tobacco – Health Canada
- Tobacco – World Health Organization
- Smoking and Tobacco Use – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Last update: April 28, 2026