In order to help protect Saskatchewan youth from vaping associated health risks, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act has been put in effect over the weekend. This new legislation is aimed to protect Saskatchewan's youth from health-related risks that come from vapour products.

“Vapour products are highly addictive, trendy and extremely popular among teens and young adults,” said Vice President of Community Engagement at the Lung Association of Saskatchewan Jennifer May. “The Lung Association and its Youth4Change groups congratulate the government on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act.  This is a great day for lung health as there has been a dramatic rise in youth vaping over the past few years and this will help protect the health of Saskatchewan kids.”

The new legislation is not unlike the ones found in other provinces across Canada with vaping legislation in place. The new legislation includes:

  • 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;
  • 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;
  • provide the ability to restrict the sale of flavoured tobacco and vapour products by regulation; and,
  • expand the authority of tobacco enforcement officers to include enforcement of vapour/e-cigarette product restrictions.

This means that businesses must cover vapour displays and treat them similar to tobaccos when it comes to display and distribution.