To help curb a rise in teen vaping, the legal sale of all flavoured vaping products in New Brunswick will be banned starting on September 1.
A variety of flavours have been available such as bubble gum, chocolate, cotton candy and mango which have proved enticing for youth.
Health Canada indicated more than half of all young people it surveyed said flavour and smell were the main reasons for trying these products.
Only tobacco-flavoured vaping products will be available going forward.
The Department of Health says vaping has been marketed as a safer alternative to cigarettes but most flavoured products still contain nicotine.
“Vaping is not harmless,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “These products contain harmful chemicals and nicotine.”
Shephard noted emerging research shows young people who vape are twice as likely to try smoking within a year.
The New Brunswick Health Council has noted about one-third of students it surveyed in 2018-19 said they had tried an e-cigarette – an increase from the previous three years.
“We need to give our teens the best possible start in life,” said Shephard.
“We need to create an environment where kids are not constantly being exposed to vaping. And we need to support those young people who are already struggling with addiction by providing the resources they need to quit.”
Counselling services for people who want to quit smoking or vaping are available from Go Smoke-Free NB at 1-866-366-3667.
To report retailers selling flavoured vaping products or selling any vaping products to minors, call 1-866-234-4234.
