A spike in youth vaping within the past five years has prompted the Alberta government to restrict access and redefine the advertising of e-cigarettes.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro tabled a bill in the Alberta Legislature on June 2 that prohibits minors from buying or possessing vaping products in Alberta. The bill’s overarching purpose is to align rules for vaping products with tobacco regulations.
Locally, Bill 19, the Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Amendment Act, drew praise from school board reps.
Joe Becigneul, chair for the Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board, said he was "absolutely ecstatic" at the news.
“Up to now, it’s been pretty much an open market. You could walk past a convenience store and see posters in the window. Tobacco was located behind the counter, but vaping products were easily available.”
Schools have seen a 30-per-cent spike in the use of vaporizers since 2014. The Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug survey stated 400,000 youth nationally from grades 6 to 12 used vaping products in 2019.
The provincial bill’s proposed amendments touch on possession, promotion, display, marketing and sale of vaping products, as well as enforcement.
If Bill 19 passes, it would ban the sales of vaping products to anyone under 18. It would also requires businesses to ask anyone who looks younger than 25 for identification. As a deterrent, fines will be imposed.
“We are happy to see the government move on the legislation. We were the last province to initiate it. We were especially thrilled to see the new rules on displays and advertising. We would also like to see the government target candy flavoured e-cigarettes,” said Cheryl Dumont, trustee for the St. Albert Public School Board.
Flavoured pens are a big draw for minors and are considered the gateway to smoking cigarettes. Teens are especially drawn to popular flavours of fruit, pastry and candy/chocolate flavours.
Multiple sources of evidence, backed by the Alberta government, acknowledge the nicotine pods can produce lung damage, nicotine poisoning and addiction.
Thomas Kirsop who owns Alternative Options, vape shops in both St. Albert and Morinville, agrees with most of the bill’s regulations regarding minors, but questions whether they will be enforced.
“I agree with most of the regulations. They’re well-written. But currently we have a federal law that makes it illegal to sell vaping products to kids. If we can’t enforce the federal law we have, more laws won’t help the situation. What I would like to see is stronger enforcement,” said Kirsop.
Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking & Health, explained the provincial bill streamlines the enforcement process.
“It’s easier for the Alberta government to enforce its own legislation,” Hagen said.
Kirsop recognizes palatable flavours are the big draw for both minors and adults.
“Research indicates that access to a variety of flavours is a key factor for adult smokers who are looking to choose something other an combustible tobacco product.”
In his view, banning flavours could have unintended consequences for adult vapers who may have reduced or quit smoking with the help of e-cigarettes.
“If you ban flavours, adults go back to smoking, which is more harmful.”
Although Bill 19 has not prohibited flavours, the provincial government has left the door open for regulatory authority in the near future.
