Account Login/Registration

Access KamloopsBCNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

UPDATE: BC government announces surge in tax on vaping products in bid to protect youth

(UPDATE: Nov. 14 @ 11 am): The British Columbia government is going to more than double the amount of tax on vaping products in what it said is an attempt to protect young people's health.

Provincial sales tax will increase from 7% to 20% on the products from Jan. 1, the province said.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said youth vaping rates are increasing, putting young people at risk of serious illness, prompting the government to introduce the most comprehensive vaping plan in Canada.

A series of regulations, which will come into force in the spring of 2020, will restrict the amount of nicotine in vapour pods and liquid to 20mg/ml.

The vape pods and liquid containers will also have to be sold in plain packaging with health warnings.

Flavours other than tobacco will also only be allowed in age-restricted shops, while advertising will be restricted in areas where young people spend time (such as bus shelters and parks).

"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.

"As a result, youth vaping rates are rising, putting them at risk for addiction and serious illness. That's why we are bringing in the most comprehensive plan in the country, and supporting young people to end this dangerous trend."

The minister said the government will introduce legislation this month that boosts the provincial sales tax on vaping products.

The BC School Trustees Association has asked the government for help, saying many districts in BC are spending too much time monitoring and addressing the problem of vaping in schools.

Health Canada said last week that the province may now have three possible vaping-related illnesses and the provincial health officer said the number was likely to rise as more of the illnesses were reported and investigated.

Health Canada has issued a warning to people who vape to monitor themselves for symptoms of vaping-related pulmonary illness following hundreds of such cases in the United States and a few in Canada.

– With files from Canadian Press

(Original story: Nov. 14 @ 5:50 am): The British Columbia government is expected to announce changes today around vaping especially in regards to young people in the province.

Health Minister Adrian Dix has said B.C. will be taking strong action that involves education, tightening access, working with partners and pressuring the federal government to act.

He said the action would involve first-of-its-kind regulations in Canada with a goal of making vaping as socially unacceptable as smoking cigarettes are to young people.

<who> Photo credit: File

The B.C. School Trustees Association has asked the government for help, saying many districts in B.C. are spending too much time monitoring and addressing the problem of vaping in schools.

Health Canada said last week that the province may now have three possible vaping-related illnesses and the provincial health officer said the number was likely to rise as more of the illnesses were reported and investigated.

Health Canada has issued a warning to people who vape to monitor themselves for symptoms of vaping-related pulmonary illness following hundreds of such cases in the United States and a few in Canada.

– With files from Canadian Press


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
13℃

weather-icon
Sat
14℃

weather-icon
Sun
16℃

weather-icon
Mon
19℃

weather-icon
Tue
21℃

weather-icon
Wed
13℃
current feed webcam icon

Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy