New measures being considered in Canada to protect young people from smoking and vaping

As Canada strengthens its anti-smoking policy with new graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and messages printed directly on the products, health authorities reiterate that tobacco, and more broadly nicotine addiction, remains a major public health issue. This initiative comes in a context marked by a decline in traditional smoking, demonstrating that anti-smoking measures are effective and necessary, but that they still need to be complemented by regulations inspired in particular by the British "Tobacco-Free Generation" model. Added to this is the objective of combating the rise in vaping among young people.

A decrease in traditional smoking but an increase in vaping among young people

Between 2001 and 2024, the percentage of the Canadian population that uses tobacco products fell from 29% to 13%, according to Statistics Canada. In 2022, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest smoking rate in the country, with 18% of people aged 15 and over reporting daily or occasional smoking, compared to 11% nationally. The Canadian Cancer Society reminds us that tobacco is the leading preventable risk factor for illness and death in Canada, and that seven to nine out of ten lung cancers are attributable to smoking, depending on gender. In addition, the Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey indicated that the prevalence of smoking was only 4.2 % among youth aged 15 to 19 in 2022, compared to 27.7 % among youth in this age group in 1999.

In contrast, vaping increased among young people: 20% of 20- to 24-year-olds reported vaping in the 30 days preceding the Survey in 2022, up from 17% in 2021. This increase is particularly pronounced among young people, as this prevalence is limited to 4% of Canadians aged 25 and over.[1].

Health authorities and several anti-smoking organizations are concerned about the rise in vaping among young people, pointing out that almost all vaping products contain nicotine and can lead to addiction, in addition to being harmful to health. Risks of cardiovascular and respiratory problems have already been scientifically established, as well as neurological disorders in young people, including attention and memory loss, and depression. The long-term effects are not yet known, even if Studies suggest potential carcinogenic effects electronic cigarettes with exposure to heavy metals.

New measures against traditional smoking, including a possible generational ban on sales

Canada has introduced, since 1^er August 2026, a new series of illustrated health warnings on cigarette packs and other tobacco products[2]. The images notably depict a colon affected by cancer and a baby surrounded by smoke in the shape of a skull, illustrating the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. These new warnings on packaging complement the messages now printed directly on cigarettes, such as "smoking is harmful to children" or "smoking damages the liver." According to Geoffrey Fong, a researcher at the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, regularly updating the warnings is necessary to prevent a loss of effectiveness due to the repetition of messages and their gradual disappearance.

Experts emphasize that graphic warnings promote greater awareness of the risks of tobacco and can encourage attempts to quit. Crucially, they also play a role in preventing initiation. Public health stakeholders also stress the need for a comprehensive strategy combining information, prevention, and regulation, such as bans on advertising and promoting tobacco products at points of sale.

Beyond these crucial measures recommended by the WHO, Canadian tobacco control advocates are calling for new and ambitious measures to combat the nicotine epidemic, including raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, or even a generational ban on the sale of traditional cigarettes. Recently, The United Kingdom has adopted a law establishing a lifetime ban on the sale of cigarettes and e-cigarettes to people born on or after January 1st.^er January 2009. This bill aims to create the first "tobacco-free generation" and follows a similar measure adopted in the Maldives.

This policy has already generated interest in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2024, the province launched a survey of residents to gather their views on the possibility of raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21, or even implementing a lifetime ban. Khadija Rehma, a spokesperson for the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services, stated that the province is « currently reviewing the information received in order to guide the next steps »However, Kevin Coady, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Tobacco Control Alliance, pointed out that a generational ban is not enough on its own and, to be effective, must be part of a comprehensive set of tobacco control measures.

The new products are also targeted within a broader, international strategy for nicotine-free generation.

At the end of May 2026, more than twenty Canadian public health organizations called on the Canadian federal government to set a goal of achieving a "tobacco-free generation" by 2035, meaning an adult smoking prevalence of less than 5%., with a "nicotine-free generation" by 2045, meaning overall nicotine consumption of less than 5% of the population. This means combating all forms of tobacco and nicotine products, including new products (e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches, etc.). That is why Canadian public policymakers and health organizations have called on provincial governments to take drastic measures, including a ban on sweet and fruity vaping flavors, which are very appealing to young people and non-smokers.

This movement is international, with a growing number of governments interested in an "endgame" strategy extended to new products. Recently, a bill was proposed in Ireland, which is a champion country in the fight against tobacco in Europe, has called for a generational sales ban on tobacco products as well as vaping products.[3].

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[1]Tobacco: Activists want more than "ugly pictures" on cigarette packs, Radio-Canada, published August 9, 2026, accessed August 10, 2026

[2]Matthew Robertson, Cigarette packages are getting updated labels to deter smoking, but advocates say vaping needs action, too, CBC, published August 9, 2026, accessed August 10, 2026

[3]Marie O'Halloran, Sale of vapes and cigarettes to young people could be banned, The Irish Times, published on August 9, 2026, accessed on August 10, 2026

National Committee Against Smoking |