A private member’s bill aimed at reducing youth vaping in Ontario has passed first reading and will return to the legislature this fall.
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas held a press conference after reintroducing her bill, titled ‘Vaping is not for Kids.’
The legislation uses a six-pillar approach, beginning with a ban on the promotion of vaping products.
“I have many grandchildren and they spend a lot of times on their phones, like any other teen,” Gélinas said.
She said her grandkids show her vaping ads she never sees on her own devices.
“I’m not the target audience, they are.”
— Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas
Health workers, former teen vaper back the bill
Oncology nurse and cancer survivor Taaha Ijaz, who now volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society, said the scope of youth vaping should alarm Ontarians.
“We are watching, in real time, an entire generation become addicted to nicotine under the illusion that vaping is safe,” he said.
Ijaz said promotion, flavours and high nicotine levels are driving the trend.
“Ontario youth are being engineered into addiction by products deliberately designed to get them hooked,” he said.
“Bright flavours, sleek designs, and high nicotine levels and easy access have all normalized vaping in ways that should deeply concern us.”
Former vaper shares her story
Anne Lago said she started vaping at 17 after friends who could buy the products introduced her to them. She was addicted within a year and still battles nicotine dependence.
“As a teenager, drawn to the high these devices provided, I chose higher strength pods,” she said.
Lago said that although she was turned away when trying to buy vapes herself, the products were available at a convenience store near her high school, making them easy to obtain through others. She said she supports the bill’s proposal to restrict sales to specialty stores, eliminate online sales and raise the minimum purchase age to 21 from 19.
Tax hike to fund education on vaping risks
The bill also proposes increasing the tax on vaping products, with a portion of revenue dedicated to public education about vaping dangers.
“By directing tax revenue from vape sales towards educating the public, the legislation takes an important step forward,” Lago said.
“It will ensure young people are educated about the risks of vaping, just as we have done with our cigarettes.”
Hoping to track youth vaping trends
Gélinas said the final pillar would require the Ministry of Health to examine the number of young people who vape. The NDP MPP said she spends time in schools and many high school students have told her they vape occasionally or regularly.
“It’s about time the government takes measures to protect our young people because there are more and more children who are becoming addicted to these products and to nicotine when they start vaping,” she said.
“It’s not about blaming the youth of Ontario.”
— Oncology nurse and cancer survivor Taaha Ijaz
“Young people in this province deserve better protections against products intentionally designed to keep them hooked,” said Ijaz.
“Measures that reduce youth access, restricts flavours and strengthens oversight are not about punishment – they are all about prevention.”
Gélinas said similar laws have worked elsewhere.
“The results are there; it works. Ontario needs to do the same. The sooner the better,” she said.
Lago said her experience might have differed if such rules had existed earlier.
“If the Smoke Free Ontario Amendment Act or the Vaping is not for Kids had been in place when I was a teenager, my experience could have been very different,” she said.
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