Understanding Vaping Policies at Music Festivals and Concerts

Music festivals and concerts can be exciting events that draw crowds from all walks of life. For adults who vape, it’s important to understand the rules and regulations around vaping at these venues. 

This guide provides the information you need about vaping policies at various music and festival venues, arenas, and concert halls in Canada, helping you navigate these rules.

You can learn more about vaping in other public places in our guide: Where you can vape in Canada.

Before diving into specific festival and concert policies, let’s review the general vaping laws in Canada:

• The minimum age to buy vaping products is 18; some provincial laws have increased this age to 19 or 21 (1)
• The maximum nicotine concentration allowed in e-liquids is 20 mg/mL (2)
• Specific regulations may vary by province and municipality

You can learn more about Canadian vaping laws in our guide: Where you can vape legally in Canada.

Smoking and vaping policies vary by Canadian province. So, it comes as no surprise that the rules can differ significantly between different music festivals. Below are some vaping policies from several popular Canadian festivals:

• Osheaga Music and Arts Festival (Montreal): There’s no guidance around smoking or vaping on the Osheaga Festival website, including no mention of vapes in the banned items list (4). However, the site is subject to the Quebec Tobacco Control Act, which prohibit vaping in all areas where smoking is not permitted. (3)
• Montreal International Jazz Festival: As an outdoor event, Montreal International Jazz Festival generally follows Montreal’s public space regulations, banning vaping in all areas where smoking is prohibited. There’s no mention of vapes in the banned items list (5), but it’s a good idea to understand the local laws and check with officials before vaping on the festival site. 
• Shambhala Music Festival (British Columbia): The Shambhala site doesn’t mention vaping but suggests smokers carry personal ashtrays to keep the site clean. (6)

It’s always best to understand the local laws and check the official website or contact the organisers of the festival you plan to attend for the most up-to-date information regarding their vaping policies.

Many of Canada’s major music venues and festival sites have strict no-smoking policies that extend to vaping.

• Scotiabank Arena (Toronto): Scotiabank Arena is a smoke-free building, including the use of vapes. Fans who leave the building will not be allowed back inside. (7)
• Rogers Centre (Toronto): Rogers Centre is a smoke-free stadium that does not provide designated outdoor smoking areas. (8)
• Bell Centre (Montreal): Smoking and vaping are forbidden inside the Bell Centre. (9)
• BC Place (Vancouver): Smoking and the use of vapes are not permitted on BC Place property, including on exterior concourses and plazas. (10)
• Rogers Arena (Vancouver): Rogers Arena is a smoke-free and vape-free venue with no designated outdoor smoking areas or in-and-out privileges. (11)
• Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary): Scotiabank Arena is a smoke-free and vape-free building. (7)
• Place Bell (Laval): Smoking and vaping are forbidden inside Place Bell. (13)
• Budweiser Stage (Toronto): Smoking and vaping are banned in some areas, but guests may smoke in the designated areas of Riverwalk and South Plaza. (14)

Always verify the policy of the specific venue you’re visiting before you go, as these rules can change.