Vancouver city council has voted to ban the sale of "gun-shaped" lighters in an attempt to "reducing public safety risks and limiting the circulation of these devices."The ban includes any lighter that resembles a firearm."Being the first in Canada to take action on gun-shaped lighters shows our commitment to public safety," Mayor Ken Sim said. "It's about keeping our communities safe, and we're not stopping here. We will be inviting the Province and federal government to work with us on broader solutions so that gun-shaped lighters do not continue to pose a risk."The decision was made after data from the Vancouver Police Department showed "a significant rise in incidents involving gun-shaped lighters." In 2024 alone, there were 162 calls related to the devices. "Gun-shaped lighters pose a serious risk to public safety due to their realistic appearance," said VPD Chief Cnst. Steve Rai said. "This ban represents a proactive measure to reduce unnecessary risks to public safety and to prevent potentially dangerous encounters during police responses. It's an effective tool to address a growing concern, and combined with our public outreach efforts, we're hopeful it will lead to a decline in incidents involving these devices."Under a revised bylaw, those caught selling such devices will face fines of $1,000. It is estimated that between 50 and 75 shops currently sell them in the city.Possessing a gun-shaped lighter is still allowed, and those who purchase them outside city limits and bring them in will not be punished.
