Health Canada proposes to ban advertising of vaping products wherever they can be seen or heard by youth

Friday, 03 January 2020 08:00.PM

(Health Canada) - The Government of Canada is concerned by the rapid rise in youth vaping, and is taking action to address it. Working with other orders of governments, the medical community and other stakeholders, the government will do more to protect youth from the risks of vaping.

That is why the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, proposed a new regulations to prohibit the promotion and advertising of vaping products anywhere they can be seen or heard by youth. This means that young Canadians would no longer see advertising for vaping products in public spaces, in convenience stores or online. Marketing of vaping products would be allowed only in specialty shops, businesses and online spaces accessible by adults.

"The latest statistics – which show that vaping has doubled among high school students – are alarming. We share the concerns of many parents, medical professionals and health officials. We are working with experts and all Canadians to find ways to prevent youth from vaping. The new measures announced today will help, but there is more to do. We are working on further steps to protect youth and our message remains clear: vaping comes with serious risks."
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health

We also know that many youth don't think about vaping the way they think about smoking. To ensure that Canadians are aware of the risks of vaping and nicotine addiction, Minister Hajdu also announced new mandatory health warnings on vaping product packaging. Packaging will be required to be child resistant, and limits will be placed on nicotine content to ensure that vaping products are not toxic to children if accidentally ingested.

Building on consultations begun earlier this year, additional measures with respect to reducing nicotine concentration limits and additional flavour restrictions are being examined, using the best available evidence.

These new measures will better protect youth from the harms of vaping and, with continued public education, reduce the appeal of vaping products.