The Toolkit for Responsible Tobacco Retailers, developed by Health Canada in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, is available in English at healthcanada.gc.ca/saskatchewanretailers and in French at santecanada.gc.ca/detaillantssaskatchewan .

This toolkit provides an overview of the federal and provincial laws regarding the sale and advertising of tobacco and tobacco-related products in Saskatchewan for retailers. It contains highlights of the provincial and federal tobacco legislation, penalties, frequently asked questions from retailers, tips on developing store policies, employee training and tools, monitoring tools and sample exams.

If you have any questions about the Toolkit for Responsible Tobacco Retailers, please contact Health Canada at (306) 780-3850.

As of April 1, 2011, tobacco sales are prohibited in pharmacies. For more information, please click here .

Smoking or holding lighted tobacco is prohibited in enclosed public places and within 3 metres of a doorway, window or air-intake of an enclosed public place. An enclosed public place is defined as "all or any part of a building or other enclosed place or conveyance to which the public has access as of right or by express or implied invitation..." Included in this definition are bus shelters, public transit vehicles, the common areas of a multi-unit residential building, private clubs, and public buildings that are rented out for private events.

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety responds to issues related to smoking or holding lit tobacco in workplaces that are not accessible to the public. For more information on the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, which include provisions respecting smoking in workplaces, please contact the OHS office toll-free at 1-800-567-7233.

The Tobacco Control Act and The Tobacco Control Regulations include requirements for businesses posting signs pertaining to the following:

For businesses that require signs regarding the 3 metre zone around doorways, air intakes and windows of enclosed public places or the prohibition on providing tobacco to persons under the age of 18, please fill out this form, print it out and fax it to (306) 787-3823.

Tobacco Signs Order Form.pdf 

Outdoor signs that advertise or promote tobacco or tobacco-related products are prohibited and the use of indoor signs that list the price of tobacco and tobacco-related products available for sale is restricted. The Tobacco Control Regulations specify the content and dimensions of signs that list the tobacco or tobacco-related products offered for sale and their prices.

The Ministry of Health has received questions about the use and sale of electronic cigarettes and other electronic smoking products. These devices do not contain tobacco, so The Tobacco Control Act and The Tobacco Control Regulations do not apply. For any questions or concerns related to the use or sale of these products in Saskatchewan, please contact the Health Canada Inspectorate - Manitoba and Saskatchewan Operational Centre. The Inspectorate can be reached by e-mail at Insp_MSOC-COMS@hc-sc.gc.ca by telephone at (204) 984-1341 or toll-free at 1-800-267-9675.

Health Canada has also posted an advisory and a notice to stakeholders regarding electronic cigarettes, which can be found at:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2009/2009_53-eng.php  
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/pol/notice_avis_e-cig-eng.php

Please note that Health Canada is advising Canadians not to purchase or use electronic smoking products (such as electronic cigarettes), as these products may pose health risks and have not been fully evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy by Health Canada.

In September 2011, the Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars) came into force with strengthened labelling requirements for cigarettes and little cigar packages. The requirements include:

• graphic health warnings that cover 75% of the front and back of packages and include a pan-Canadian quitline number and web address;
  
• health information messages enhanced with colour; and
  
• easy to understand toxic emissions statements.

More information about the new labelling requirements can be found at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/legislation/label-etiquette/index-eng.php .