Ottawa postpones vaping flavours ban amid proof of effective quitting smoking method

Federal government’s decision to delay a nationwide ban on flavoured vaping products has sparked frustration among some health organizations, while some Canadians argue the sweet and fruity options are critical to helping smokers quit cigarettes.

Health Minister Ya’ara Saks office confirmed this week that restrictions on vaping flavours, promised since 2021, will not move forward despite warnings from medical groups that flavours like cotton candy and mango appeal to youth. 

The delay comes as public health experts and former smokers clash over whether eliminating flavours would protect teens or undermine adults relying on vaping to quit tobacco.  

“We left the meeting with the firm belief that we are not going to see a ban on vaping flavours this year,” said Cynthia Callard, Executive Director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. 

“We are greatly disappointed.”

Callard and other anti-smoking advocates met with a senior staffer in Saks office this week, where they were told the issue is not a priority as a spring federal election is expected.  

Canada has one of the highest teen vaping rates globally, with nearly half of young adults reporting they have tried e-cigarettes, according to Statistics Canada. 

Health Canada first proposed limiting flavours to tobacco, mint, and menthol in 2021, citing research that sweet flavours are seen as less harmful by youth. 

But after years of consultations, the regulations stalled.  

While some health groups push for stricter rules, some Canadians credit flavoured vapes with helping them quit smoking. 

Health Canada acknowledges vaping nicotine can aid adults in transitioning from cigarettes, though it has never officially approved it as a smoking cessation tool.  

David Hammond, a public health researcher at the University of Waterloo, said studies show vaping is as effective as nicotine patches or gum for quitting smoking. 

Health Canada’s own consultations found former smokers often relied on flavours to distance themselves from the taste of tobacco. 

One user told officials that switching to a mango-flavoured vape “made it easier to avoid the urge to light up.”

The federal delay has led six provinces and territories, including Quebec, Nova Scotia, and P.E.I., to enact their own flavour bans.

But Quebec’s flavour ban experience has fueled the debate.  

Since banning most flavours in October 2023, convenience stores report legal vape sales have dropped by half, while illegal online sellers thrive. 

The Convenience Industry Council of Canada (CICC) found over 600 websites now sell banned products in Quebec, often using platforms like Shopify.  

“This regulation worsens the situation,” said Michel Gadbois, CICC vice-president. 

“It encourages illegal sales, increases vaping’s appeal to youth, and hurts honest businesses.”

Saks office pointed out concerns about unintended consequences, stating, “A patchwork approach or one we can’t enforce properly would not solve the problem.” 

Saks has pointed to Quebec’s struggle with black market sales as a reason for caution.  

Canada’s top public health officials renewed calls for a federal flavour ban this week, warning nicotine vaping rates among youth remain alarmingly high. 

In a joint statement, the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health said flavours “increase the appeal of vaping products to young people” and have pushed for restrictions since 2019.  

Callard accused the government of allowing the tobacco industry to “replace Canada’s smoking epidemic with a vaping one.” 

Callard stated that when vaping exploded in 2018, the federal government took a hands-off approach, hoping it would help smokers quit. 

“They ignored warnings that youth would adopt vaping at higher rates,” said Callard.

“Now they’re leaving office without cleaning up the mess.”  

The Liberal government has not provided a new timeline for flavour restrictions. 

Saks spokesperson Yuval Daniel issued a statement that “vaping flavours are going to be restricted,” but stressed the need to “get this right.”