Editorial: On vape regulations, government is behind the curve of societal changes
Government is criticized for reacting late to the rise of vaping among teens despite its harm reduction origins.Summary
Calls for municipal control over vape shops in North Vancouver are criticized as a delayed response to a trend that has already taken hold. While vaping was initially promoted as a harm reduction tool for adult smokers, it has now been adopted by substantial numbers of teens who have never smoked. The health effects remain uncertain, placing the product in a regulatory grey zone similar to cigarettes. The article argues that while municipalities have the power to regulate such businesses, the government has historically been slow to adapt to societal changes, citing the long process required to de-normalize smoking through strict regulation. It questions why liquor stores are treated differently from vape shops and highlights the tension between protecting children from bad habits and respecting adult freedom of choice.
(Source：North Shore News)
