The B.C. government has introduced a pioneering law in Canada aimed at recovering health-care expenses from companies utilizing deceptive tactics to market vaping products. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legislation in Victoria, drawing parallels to past laws used to litigate against tobacco firms and opioid manufacturers. Sharma highlighted that certain vaping companies have employed deceptive strategies to enhance profits, falsely promoting their products as safe and beneficial, particularly targeting vulnerable youth despite the knowledge of the falsehood of their claims.
B.C., as the first province to sue tobacco companies, is enhancing its capabilities in such legal battles, as Sharma noted. A recent $32.5 billion settlement by tobacco companies across Canada will allocate $3.6 billion to B.C. over the next 18 years. Sharma expressed optimism in the government’s ability to challenge these companies in court effectively. She clarified that any future litigation proceeds would be directed to general revenue rather than earmarked for healthcare services, emphasizing that the collective funding pool sustains British Columbia’s expanding healthcare system.
Sharma raised concerns about the escalating popularity of vaping, particularly among young Canadians, posing a threat to the longstanding progress in reducing tobacco use, a crucial public health milestone. She warned of a potential surge in nicotine addiction among a new generation due to vaping. While she couldn’t specify the exact healthcare costs attributable to vaping, Sharma emphasized the widespread impact of vaping-related respiratory illnesses, long-term addictions, and mental health issues, particularly affecting youth.
Education Minister Lisa Beare lauded the legislation as a complement to provincial initiatives educating young individuals on the risks of vaping and empowering them to make informed decisions. The Canadian Vaping Association, representing the growing vaping industry, refrained from immediate comments on the proposed law. The association advocates for balanced regulations focusing on adult harm reduction and youth safeguarding through education. Stressing vaping as a significant harm reduction tool, the association cited 1.9 million Canadian adults engaged in vaping, aligning with Health Canada’s goal to reduce smoking rates significantly by 2035.
While Health Canada acknowledges vaping products’ potential in smoking cessation and reduced harm compared to smoking, it cautions against unfounded claims. Highlighting the susceptibility of children and teens to nicotine’s adverse effects due to ongoing brain development, Health Canada underscores that vaping, though potentially less harmful for adult smokers, is not without risks and should not target young demographics. The legal age in British Columbia to purchase vaping products stands at 19, with restrictions in place for the sale of products containing nicotine, nicotine salts, or cannabis, while banning the sale of flavored vaping products.