Quebec’s Highest Court Rules Actors May Smoke on Stage

A view of the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine courtroom during a guided tour of the Quebec Court of Appeal in Montreal, on March 29, 2025. The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes

Quebec’s Court of Appeal ruled in favour of allowing actors to smoke on stage during performances, saying it may qualify as protected artistic expression.

The court upheld an earlier lower-court ruling that cancelled fines issued to three Quebec City theatres for allowing performers to smoke in plays.