Due to a sharp increase in the consumption of vaping products in Canada, health authorities have decided to strengthen the regulatory framework for e-cigarettes at both the provincial and federal levels. The goal is to protect young people from nicotine addiction. Various provisions are aimed at:<\/p>\n
\u2013 protect youth and non-smokers from incentives to use vaping products. Several provinces have restrictions on advertising, including at the point of sale, which go beyond federal restrictions;<\/p>\n
\u2013 prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in places where smoking is already prohibited;<\/p>\n
\u2013 establish a maximum nicotine level of 20 mg\/ml;<\/p>\n
\u2013 protect the health of young people by limiting access to vaping products by increasing the age of sale to 21 or by making provisions regarding online sales;<\/p>\n
\u2013 introduce taxes on vaping products to reduce their accessibility, The British Columbia government has announced that it is considering introducing plain packaging for vaping products.<\/p>\n
The Quebec government is going even further, also considering limiting access to the product by requiring medical authorization for an individual to purchase e-cigarettes, or at least certain e-cigarettes. Quebec is also the only province to have banned online sales by requiring that all sales be made face-to-face in a physical, enclosed store at a specific location.<\/p>\n
At the federal level, on December 19, 2019, Health Minister Patty Hajdu announced proposed federal regulations regarding the promotion of vaping products. Advertising would be prohibited in any medium targeted at youth. Additional measures regarding reduced nicotine concentration limits and new restrictions on flavors permitted in products are under consideration. Other legislation regarding the packaging and labeling of vaping products was adopted. It will come into effect on July 1, 2020. It requires the packaging to include a health warning, an indication of nicotine concentration, a list of ingredients, and other information. As of January 1, 2021, child safety standards for uncovered products will also be in effect. Regulations aimed at reducing the promotion and appeal of vaping products to youth and public education measures to raise awareness of health risks will be implemented.<\/p>\n
Canada is among the countries with strict legislation regarding vaping products. This strengthening at both the federal and most provincial levels demonstrates a shared desire to reduce the promotion and appeal of vaping products to youth and the general public, given their addictive nature and for health reasons.<\/p>\n