Quebec’s Health Minister, Christian Dube, has announced that he will introduce regulations to ban the sale of flavored vaping products, with the exception of tobacco flavor, in the coming weeks. Proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act were published in Wednesday’s Gazette Officielle du Quebec. The proposed amendments aim to prohibit the sale or distribution of tobacco products that contain any flavor or aroma other than tobacco, as well as electronic cigarettes, their components, and accessories.
Additionally, Quebec intends to prevent e-cigarette manufacturers from selling products that do not meet nicotine concentration standards (20 milligrams per milliliter) and shape standards. The legislation will also restrict the sale of products that are shaped like toys, food, animals, or characters that may appeal to minors.
In addition, the new regulation will restrict the capacity of tanks and capsules to 2 milliliters and the maximum volume of refill containers for vaping liquids to 30 milliliters.
Dubé and the Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation, and Outdoors, Isabelle Charest, state that the draft regulation follows the recommendations of the special intervention group on vaping, which includes representatives of various government departments and agencies, the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ), clinicians and public health directors.
The government says the number of high school students who reported having vaped in the prior 30 days more than quintupled between 2013 and 2019, to 21 percent from four percent.
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The legislation is expected to be tabled within 90 days.
“This draft regulation is expected to have a financial impact on businesses that derive revenue from the sale of these products, particularly in terms of reduced turnover and loss of jobs, particularly for shops specializing in vaping products,” the document reads. “However, a lesser impact is envisaged for businesses that offer a variety of other products, such as convenience stores and gas stations.”
Specialized vape stores drew the ire of the anti-tobacco coalition recently when some began selling candy and other treats so minors could enter their establishments.
Under Quebec law, minors are not permitted to enter specialized vaping stores. By adding sweet treats, the stores fall under convenience store regulations, and kids under 18 can enter.
The coalition argued that the candy flavors in vape products attract young people.
In Canada, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories have already banned all e-cigarette flavors aside from tobacco. In BC, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, flavored vaping liquids are restricted to specialty vape shops.
Dube said in 2020 that he intended to focus on prohibiting flavor and limiting nicotine concentration in all vaping products. Â
