Back to SearchAmendments strengthen the restrictions on youth access to flavoured and high nicotine vapour products
St. Thomas, ON: Yesterday, the Province of Ontario amended the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 to further address the prevalence of youth vaping. These amendments strengthen the restrictions on youth access to flavoured and high nicotine vapour products to protect youth under 19 years of age from the harms associated with vaping. The amendments respond to parental, public, and health stakeholder’s concerns about the increase in youth vaping and include:
- Restricting the sale of flavoured vapour products to specialty vape stores (SVS) and licensed cannabis retail stores. Other retail stores can only sell tobacco, menthol, and mint flavoured vapour products;
- Restricting the sale of vapour products with high nicotine concentrations (greater than 20 mg/ml) to SVS;
- SVS will no longer be permitted to have indoor displays and promotions that are visible from outside their stores.
The current generation of vapour products is reported to deliver higher concentrations of nicotine per puff than older types of e-cigarettes and even tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can have adverse effects on the developing brain.
Not only do vapour products put youth and non-tobacco users at risk of nicotine dependence of which can lead to the use of traditional cigarettes, but usage of these products also threatens to undermine the success of existing tobacco control measures under the Smoke-free Ontario Act and new Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017.
Research has shown that flavours are appealing to youth and are an important factor in youth initiation of vaping. The wide availability of youth-appealing flavours is contributing to an increase in youth vaping that has been seen locally and across the country. These new regulations will restrict places youth are able to access from selling flavoured vapour products and those with high nicotine concentrations.
Individuals with questions related to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 or the use of ecigarettes can contact the heath unit to speak to a member of the Smoke Free Ontario Team, or read more on the SWPH website.
Comment:
“There is substantial evidence that e-cigarettes have short-term negative health effects and that e-cigarette aerosol contains many harmful chemicals and that nicotine itself alters the adolescent brain. Southwestern Public Health supports the recent amendments to the Smokefree Ontario Act, 2017 and will be enforcing these changes within the local community,” says Dr. Joyce Lock, Medical Officer of Health at Southwestern Public Health.
About Southwestern Public Health
Southwestern Public Health works with its partners to ensure the health of the whole community. Our programs respond to public health emergencies; promote healthy lifestyles; help prevent injuries, illness and disease in the community; and promote positive change and social conditions that improve health. Southwestern Public Health delivers mandated programs under the Ontario Public Health Standards and is regulated by the Ontario Health Promotion and Protection Act. The health unit maintains primary locations in Woodstock and St. Thomas. For more information, visit www.swpublichealth.ca.
Contacts
Megan Cornwell Communications Manager | Southwestern Public Health 519-631-9900 x 1259 | 1-800-922-0096 mcornwell@swpublichealth.ca
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