Quebec Proposes Ban on Flavored Vape Products
Credit: Ronniechua
Vaping products that contain flavors or aromas other than tobacco could soon be banned in Quebec under new rules proposed by the government Wednesday.
The Quebec government hopes the change to the provincial regulations will make vaping products less attractive to minors.
“We’re not eliminating vaping, but we’re eliminating flavors,” Health Minister Christian Dubé told Radio-Canada in an interview. “There will only be the taste of nicotine and all other flavors will be prohibited.”
The minister responsible for sports, Isabelle Charest, said the changes are about keeping “extremely harmful” products out of the reach of minors, according to CBC.
“They start to vape because they find it fun or attractive to have a vape pen that tastes like strawberries,” she said, adding that sweet-flavored products make up 90 percent of what minors vape, with only the remaining 10 percent choosing tobacco-flavored products.
The draft regulations also include proposals to limit the maximum nicotine concentration in vaping products to 20 milligrams per milliliter, restrict vape tank and capsule capacity to two milliliters, and limit the maximum volume refill capacity of liquid cartridges to 30 milliliters.
Vaping products will be prohibited from resembling toys, food or taking other forms that might be attractive to minors.
The ministry also acknowledges the new rules will likely mean job losses and a drop in sales for companies primarily selling vaping products.
As part of the new regulations, there will be a 45-day public consultation period.
