TORONTO, ON -
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) welcomes the Ontario government’s proposed measures to reduce electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among young people. Among other measures, the changes announced by Minister Elliott will ban the sale of most e-cigarette flavours as well as high nicotine e-cigarettes (over 20 mg/ml of nicotine) at convenience stores and gas stations in Ontario, and limit retail sales to adult-only specialty stores.
“We support the actions taken by Minister Elliott and the Ontario government to restrict youth access to e-cigarettes with flavours and high nicotine levels,” said Stephen Piazza, Ontario Manager of Public Issues for the Canadian Cancer Society. “CCS will continue to work with the Ontario government to build on this announcement and ensure that we don’t see a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine through e-cigarettes.”
Data from the 2018-2019 Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) indicates that the prevalence of e-cigarette use among students has doubled in a two-year period and tripled in a four-year period. Since Minister Elliott’s roundtables on youth vaping last fall, several provinces have further strengthened e-cigarette controls by banning the sale of flavours in all stores or removing all e-cigarettes from convenience stores and gas station shelves. The PEI government went even further by increasing the minimum sales age for both e-cigarettes and tobacco to 21.
“While today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, the Ontario government can look to examples set in other provinces and go even further to reduce e-cigarette use among young people,” said Helena Sonea, Senior Manager of Public Issues. “CCS will continue to work with the government to improve on this announcement by including mint and menthol in any flavours ban at convenience stores and gas stations, implementing a tax on e-cigarettes, and increasing the minimum sales age to 21.”
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is the only national charity that supports Canadians with all cancers in communities across the country. No other organization does what we do; we are the voice for Canadians who care about cancer. We fund groundbreaking research, provide a support system for all those affected by cancer and shape health policies to prevent cancer and support those living with the disease.
Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
For more information, please contact:
Nuala McKee
Manager, Public Engagement & Advocacy Communications
Canadian Cancer Society
Phone: 416-934-5324