Saskatchewan residents will see some new laws take effect surrounding vaping next Wednesday, as well as more tax on the products.
On September 1st, The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Regulations will come into force. The new laws will limit the sale of flavoured vapour products to age-restricted vapour product shops and limit marketing and availability to youth.
Health Minister Paul Merriman said the new laws will protect youth health by not exposing them to harmful chemicals in vapour smokables, and keeping appealing fruit or candy flavours away from young people.”
The new rules on September 1st will also see the sales tax charged on vapour products increase from 6% to 20% under the new Vapour Products Tax.
Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer says this brings vaping in line with the taxation of other nicotine and tobacco products sold in Saskatchewan.
The new rules add on to ones outlined in The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, which was put in place back in February 2020.
That law restricted the sale of vapour products to individuals 18 years of age and older, prohibited the display of vapour products or ads for them in a retail business where young persons have access and
restricting the use of vapour products in and around public buildings, including schools and school grounds.
It also prohibited the sale of vapour products in places like amusement parks, arcades, and theatres, which youth frequent and expanded the authority of tobacco enforcement officers to include enforcement of vapour product restrictions.
