Quebec banning the sale of flavoured vaping products as of Oct. 31

MONTREAL – The sale of vaping products containing flavour will be banned in Quebec as of October 31.

On Wednesday, the Legault government confirmed the adoption of a regulation evoked last spring.

“These new regulations concerning vaping products are aimed in particular at protecting young people from the harmful and worrying effects of vaping,” explains Health Minister Christian Dubé in a press release. This is our responsibility, and we will ensure that these substances become less attractive for everyone.”

The government points out that consumption among high school students is on the rise. In 2013, 4 per cent of young people reported having vaped in the last 30 days, according to the Enquête québécoise sur le tabac, l’alcool, la drogue et le jeu chez les élèves du secondaire. This proportion rose to 21 per cent in 2019.

The regulation also imposes a limit of 20 mg/ml on the maximum nicotine concentration for all vaping products. It restricts the capacity of tanks and capsules to 2 ml and the maximum volume of refill containers for vaping liquids to 30 ml. “Certain information” on vaping products and their packaging will also be required.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) calls the regulations “a major step forward in protecting the health of young people”. “We want to prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine through electronic cigarettes”, reacts David Raynaud, Senior Manager, Public Interest Advocacy at the CCS.

On the vaping industry side, the Association des représentants de l’industrie du vapotage accuses the government of resorting to “magical thinking” and evokes “catastrophic consequences”. “Even if flavors are abolished, young Quebecers will continue to cheat the system by obtaining flavored vaporizers illegally on the black market or online with prepaid cards,” laments the association’s director and founder, Daniel Marien.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 2, 2023.