Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act were passed unanimously at the Legislature Wednesday afternoon.

This allows the province to move quickly to ensure vaping regulations are in line with the existing tobacco legislation.

“Quick passage of this legislation demonstrates how important it is to further protect our youth from vaping,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said.  “I want to thank our partners and health stakeholders for their support for this legislation and look forward to consulting with them again on the regulations and how to best address flavoured vaping products.”

Now the Ministry of Health will proceed with the necessary supporting regulations to address both the restrictions on vaping and the enforcement.

New signage prohibiting vaping will be made available for public buildings, retailers and schools.

The amendments in Bill 182 include:

•             restrict the sale of vapour/e-cigarette devices and products to individuals 18 years of age and older;

•             prohibit the display of vapour/e-cigarette products in a retail business where young persons have access;

•             restrict the use of vapour/e-cigarette products in and around public buildings, including schools and school grounds, in the same manner as our provincial tobacco legislation;

•             prohibit the sale of vapour/e-cigarette products from specified facilities such as amusement parks, arcades, and theatres where youth frequent; and

•             restrict advertising of vapour/e-cigarette products in the same manner as tobacco products by prohibiting advertising signs and promotional signs in areas where young persons can enter.

It is anticipated the regulations will be in force in early 2020.