Tobacco Control Directorate (TCD)

Who we are

The Tobacco Control Directorate (TCD) in the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch of Health Canada supports the Branch by leading Canada's Tobacco Strategy (CTS), a comprehensive strategy to help significantly reduce rates of tobacco-related death and disease in Canada.

As the lead for CTS, the Directorate works in collaboration with its federal partners, provinces and territories, the health community, and other stakeholders to implement the Strategy and to ensure Canadians are aware of the health risks associated with using tobacco and vaping products.

What we do

Administer and enforce the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, which regulates the manufacture, sale, labelling and promotion of tobacco and vaping products.

Deliver scientific research to support policy and regulatory initiatives, promote innovation through grants and contributions and conduct surveillance, in support of the CTS.

Our work:

• Informs Canadians about the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and vaping products
• Aims to protect Canadians from inducements to use tobacco products as well as youth and non-tobacco users from inducements to use vaping products
• Helps Canadians quit using tobacco or reduce the harms of their addiction to nicotine
• Strengthens the science, surveillance and partnerships required for effective tobacco control
• Contributes to global efforts to address tobacco-related death and disease

TCD's mandate is governed by the following Canadian federal legislation and international conventions:

• The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act
• The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

How we do it

TCD's organizational structure includes the following functional units:

• Director General's Office (DGO)
• Office of Research and Surveillance (ORS)
• Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP)
• Tobacco Products Regulatory Office (TPRO)
• Office of Compliance for Tobacco and Vaping Products and Systems Configurations (OCSC)

Director General's Office (DGO)

The Director General's Office (DGO) provides strategic vision, oversight and management for the work of the Directorate. The DGO works closely with the Directors of each Office; coordinates the Directorate's business, including corporate reporting and Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests; serves as a liaison with the Assistant Deputy Minister's Office, and chairs the Directorate Management Committee among other oversight and engagement committees.

Office of Research and Surveillance (ORS)

The Office of Research and Surveillance (ORS) is responsible for the monitoring and surveillance of current trends and patterns of tobacco and vaping product use in Canada, conducting research activities in the areas of tobacco and vaping science, and performing business intelligence activities for the Directorate, including the analysis of tobacco sales data. The data and information generated provide an evidence-base for policy and regulatory decisions, and contributes to the fulfillment of the government's international reporting obligations.

Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP)

The Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP) is responsible for the development of comprehensive policies, strategies, frameworks and legislation related to tobacco and vaping products. The Office leads strategic and operational planning for the Directorate. The OPSP also leads and contributes to the development and dissemination of public education and stakeholder engagement initiatives. It coordinates and manages domestic and international stakeholder relations, as well as collaborations with provincial and territorial governments in the implementation of pan-Canadian tobacco control programs. In addition, the OPSP is responsible for providing input on global tobacco-related issues and serves as Canada's focal point for the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Tobacco Products Regulatory Office (TPRO)

The Tobacco Products Regulatory Office (TPRO) is responsible for the development of regulations under the authority of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA). Regulatory projects under the TVPA are listed in the Department's Forward Regulatory Plan. TPRO is also responsible for the review of tobacco industry reports submitted pursuant to the Tobacco Reporting Regulations and works with the Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch (ROEB) in coordinating enforcement activities when non-compliance with the Regulations is observed.

Office of Compliance for Tobacco and Vaping Products and Systems Configurations (OCSC)

The Office of Compliance for Tobacco and Vaping Products and Systems Configurations (OCSC) works with ROEB to coordinate the administration and enforcement of the TVPA. OCSC also manages the information technology systems required for the planning, tracking and reporting of compliance and enforcement activities.

Contact us

Tobacco Control Directorate
Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch
Health Canada
Postal Locator: 0301A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9

E-mail: tcp.questions-plt@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 1-866-318-1116