Vaping Regulations in the Works
CBJ — The Liberal government says it plans to introduce legislation later this fall to regulate vaping.
Health Canada has revealed few details beyond saying the changes would both protect young people from nicotine and allow adult smokers to use vaping as a quit-smoking aid or as a potentially less harmful alternative to tobacco. People must be at least 19 years old to legally smoke and it’s expected the same regulations will apply to vaping.
In a statement, the department said it is also renewing the federal tobacco control strategy for one year, giving the government time to develop a new long-term plan. The strategy was introduced in 2001 and last renewed four years ago.
Health Minister Jane Philpott will host a national forum early next year to discuss the future of tobacco control.
Health Canada also said federal work continues on a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes, as well as a commitment to introduce plain and standardized packaging requirements on all tobacco products.
The government says an estimated 87,000 Canadians, including many young people, will become daily smokers this year — placing them and others at risk of developing a variety of diseases and illnesses.
Canada was the first country to introduce graphic warning labels to inform people of the risks of smoking, and the government bills itself as a pioneer in the restriction of tobacco advertising and flavouring to reduce the appeal of products.
