LETTER: Surrey picked the wrong target for their war on vaping
Surrey's plan to restrict vaping sales may be misguided, as data shows specialty vape shops have higher rates of illicit product sales than convenience stores.Summary
A recent Surrey city council motion aims to restrict vaping sales to 19-plus specialty retailers, citing concerns about youth vaping. However, data from Health Canada inspections reveals that specialty vape stores have a significantly higher rate of selling illicit or illegal products (43%) compared to convenience stores and gas stations (less than 1%). The author, Eric Gagnon of Imperial Tobacco Canada, argues that Surrey is targeting the most compliant retail channel while the real problem lies with illicit products from manufacturers and online vendors. He advocates for stronger federal enforcement to address these issues, including stricter flavour restrictions and a national ban on online sales, rather than municipal bylaws that could inadvertently push consumers towards less regulated sources. The letter emphasizes that focusing on cracking down on illicit operators and increasing inspections would be more effective in protecting youth than simply rearranging where legal products are sold.
(Source：Peace Arch News)
