A Health Canada survey shows that Canadian youth (15 to 19 years old) vape use in the past 30 days as high as 31%, despite the government from the vape tax to obtain considerable revenue, the relevant draft regulations are still stalled, resulting in legal vape companies by disguising flavors or online sales and other means to bypass regulation, causing public health concerns.
Health Canada Health Canada E-Cigarette Use Survey
On December 27, 2024, during the Christmas and New Year’s period. Health Canada released the results of the first edition of the Canadian Substance Use Survey without a press release or statement. The survey involved 36,180 respondents, including 7,026 teenagers and young adults (ages 15 to 24).
E-cigarette use among youth up to 31%
Data shows that one-third (31 percent) of youth (ages 15 to 19) in Canada have used a vape product in the past 30 days. Previous surveys, using a different methodology, had estimated the rate at 13% to 15% over the previous four years.
The federal government collects $75 million a year from a tax on vapes for high school students. Despite repeated assurances that the regulations were nearing completion, the draft has stalled. The announcement of the new delay often coincides with meetings of Addiction Minister Ya’ara Saks and pro-vape lobby groups.
Flory Doucas, spokesperson and co-director of the Quebec Tobacco Control Coalition, said: “When Minister Sachs responds to industry arguments about an illicit market to delay the finalization of regulations, she ignores that the majority of current noncompliance cases involve legitimate vape businesses that ship noncompliant products into Quebec by disguising fruit and mint products as’ tobacco ‘flavors or through online sales,” the statement said. And selling flavored vapes that can be easily blended into vape vapes.”
The Council of Canada’s Chief Health Officers reiterated their concern about “the continued high rates of nicotine use among Canadian youth,” calling on Ottawa to take additional steps to limit flavored products to tobacco flavors and reduce exposure and appeal to these products among young people.
