The British Columbia government has introduced a groundbreaking law aimed at holding vaping product manufacturers accountable for deceptive marketing practices. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legislation in Victoria, drawing parallels to laws previously used to sue tobacco and opioid companies. Some vaping companies have allegedly used misleading tactics to promote their products as safe and beneficial, particularly targeting vulnerable youth despite knowing the falsehood of their claims.
BC, having been the first province to litigate against tobacco firms, is now poised to take on similar legal battles with vaping companies, following a recent $32.5 billion settlement with tobacco companies that will bring $3.6 billion to BC over the next 18 years. Sharma emphasized that any funds recovered from future lawsuits would be directed to general revenue rather than specifically allocated to healthcare services.
The rise in vaping popularity, especially among young Canadians, poses a significant public health concern according to Sharma, potentially reversing the progress made in reducing tobacco use. The costs associated with vaping on the healthcare system are extensive, impacting individuals across various health aspects, including respiratory issues, addiction, mental health, and especially affecting young individuals.
Education Minister Lisa Beare highlighted the legislation’s role in complementing provincial efforts to educate young people about the risks of vaping and empower them to make informed decisions. Meanwhile, the Canadian Vaping Association, representing the vaping industry, advocates for balanced regulations focusing on harm reduction for adults while ensuring youth protection and education. The association asserts that vaping is an effective harm reduction tool, with 1.9 million adult vapers in Canada, aligning with Health Canada’s goal to reduce smoking rates to less than five percent by 2035.
Health Canada recognizes vaping products as potential smoking cessation aids, noting that complete transition to vaping is less harmful than continued smoking. However, it warns against the misconception that vaping is harmless, especially for young individuals, as nicotine can have detrimental effects on developing brains. The legal age for purchasing vaping products in BC is 19, with restrictions on selling products containing nicotine, nicotine salts, or cannabis, while sales of flavored vapor products are prohibited.