Health Canada proposes lowering nicotine limit in vaping products

Health Canada wants to lower the amount of nicotine legally allowed in vaping products in order to reduce their appeal to youth.

In a release, the federal health authority said it is proposing that the maximum level of nicotine concentration allowed in e-cigarettes be lowered to 20 mg/mL. The current limit is 66mg/mL.

The department is also seeking to prohibit the packaging and sale of a vaping product if the nicotine concentration displayed on the label exceeds the new 20 mg/mL limit.

According to Health Canada, vaping products with a high concentration of nicotine have contributed to the rapid rise in youth vaping across the country.

Rob Cunningham, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, said the proposed limitations “are essential to reduce youth vaping and deserve strong support.”

The release notes that the department is also considering further restricting flavours of vaping products.

Starting on December 19, the government will hold a public consultation on the proposed change. Feedback will be accepted until March 4, 2021.

In July, Health Canada banned the advertising of vaping products in public spaces if the ads could be seen or heard by youth.

“Our work to protect Canadians from the harms of vaping products continues,” said Patty Hajdu, the Minister of Health.

“These changes will help reduce the appeal of vaping products to youth.”