The promotion of vape products will be banned in convenience stores and gas stations across Ontario, starting on Jan. 1, 2020, provincial authorities said.
“Ontario is taking urgent action to address the issue of youth vaping,” the provincial Ministry of Health said in a press release.
The popularity of vapes has been increasing a lot in the past few years, especially among young people.
According to a study presented in the press release, from 2017 to 2018, there has been a 74 per cent increase in vaping among Canadian youth who are between 16 and 19 years old. Two thirds of students who vape are using products with nicotine, which is addictive.
“If that happens, it happens, but if they are banning that, they should also ban actual cigarettes,” said Michele Fahem, 18, who was vaping in front of a Kitchener gas station.
Next year, the promotion of vape products will only be permitted in specialty vape stores and cannabis retail stores, which are only open to people who are 19 or over.
“Restricting the promotion of vape products in retail stores will help prevent youth from being exposed and influenced by promotion in retail settings,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This is just one way our government is taking action to protect young people in Ontario.”
The in-store promotion of vape products will be regulated under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, putting Ontario in line with seven other Canadian provinces with similar restrictions.
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