Public Health seeing jump in compliance with tobacco & vape rules The area has seen a significant drop in illegal products and violations in the last three years Taylor Pace Taylor Pace May 7, 2026 7:30 AM 20200904 Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health KA 01 Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. Kenneth Armstrong/GuelphToday file photo Listen to this article 00:01:48 Tobacco and vape compliance in Guelph and Wellington County has significantly gone up in the last three years, according to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. “We’ve seen some significant improvements in compliance in the last few years,” said Phil Wong, health protection operations director, during Wednesday’s board meeting. In 2023, photos showed health inspectors peeking out from behind a towering pile of illegal vape products – $45,000 worth of contraband confiscated from local retailers. Last year, that number shrunk to just $2,300, while the number of inspections remained roughly the same. There has also been a 50 per cent decrease in non-compliance over the last three years, which Wong said was “significant.” Of the remaining offenders, 50 per cent are specialty vape stores, with covered windows that require ID to go inside. These stores make up 75 per cent of repeat offenders. Based on youth test shopping enforcement, approximately one in 20 retailers sold to underage shoppers, with vape stores showing higher risk. “So we know where we need to focus our energy next year,” he said. Wong said they’re taking a multi-pronged approach with education and increased enforcement, including youth test shoppers and display and promotion audits, especially for repeat offenders. To open and operate legally, a specialty vape store needs to apply to public health for a license. With that in mind, WDGPH is piloting an e-learning project this year with a few vape stores to educate them on their roles and responsibilities. If it goes well, it could become a mandatory process to receive a license.