Rules to be implemented include PST increase of 13 percentage points, limits on advertising
B.C. has announced new rules on vape products, including higher taxes, restrictions on sales and advertising, limits on nicotine content and constraints on packaging.
Beginning in the spring of 2020, vapour pods and liquids will only be allowed to contain 20 milligrams of nicotine per millilitre, and will have to be sold in plain packaging with health warnings.
Flavoured products will only be sold in vape-specific shops with age restrictions, and no advertising will be allowed in public spaces like bus shelters or parks where young people gather.
The tobacco tax rate will also be increased by two cents beginning in Jan. 1, while the government will introduce legislation to increase the PST on vaping products from 7 per cent to 20 per cent. The PST increase will apply to cannabis vape juice once legal sales begin later this year, but other cannabis products will continue to be taxed at seven per cent.
Health Minister Adrian Dix, Education Minister Rob Fleming and Finance Minister Carole James announced the new regulations at a news conference Thursday morning.
“Some vaping manufacturers are using flavours and advertising to entice and normalize vaping for youth — introducing a new generation to very high levels of a very addictive drug,” Dix said in a news release.
“As a result, youth vaping rates are rising, putting them at risk for addiction and serious illness.”
Bethany Lindsay – CBC News – November 14, 2019.
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