Toronto Public Health calling on federal government to toughen vaping rules
As vape-related illnesses and deaths continue to be on the rise, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is calling on the federal government to do more to prevent young people from vaping.
On Monday, TPH released a report that asked the federal government to ban vaping advertising in all places accessible by minors, prohibit the sale of flavoured vape products in stores accessible by minors, and set a nicotine limit for all vape products.
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TPH also recommends the city amend its existing bylaws that prohibit smoking to also include vaping products.
“I am concerned about the health effects related to vaping and we need to create environments that prevent people from using these products and reduce the appeal to youth,” said Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health.
“I commend the Ontario government for recently re-enacting regulations to prohibit advertising and promotion at retail stores that are accessible to minors.”
The city’s medical officer of health also said more actions are needed to further protect the public from the health risks associated with these products.
The report comes as vaping continues to be on the rise in Canada, especially among Canadian teens. According to the city, from 2017 to 2018, there was a greater than 70% increase in the number of Canadian youth using vapour products.
This is concerning because the use of these products may threaten the progress that has been made in reducing smoking rates over time.
The report from TPH will be presented at the city’s upcoming board of health meeting on Monday, December 9.
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