Blaine Tetz, co-owner of Inspired Vapor Company, is concerned he will be out of business in less than two years if Health Canada bans flavoured vape products. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Healthy communities

Proposed vaping law change leaves bitter taste in mouth of local shop owner

Apr 5, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The co-owner of a Prince Albert business that specializes in vaping products says a change to federal laws, that could include the possible ban on flavours, would destroy his business.

Blaine Tetz with Inspired Vapor Company employs 10 people in roughly three separate cities across the province.

“We would simply go out of business within 90 days guaranteed,” he said

Health Canada is considering a limit on how much nicotine can be in vaping products and the regulations were recently published in the Canada Gazette. The agency hasn’t yet made a decision on whether to put those regulations in place or to put forward a framework for a possible flavour ban. The purpose of the change would be to help curb the country’s youth vaping rate. Tetz explained, based on the hundreds of studies he has read, this approach won’t work, adding youth don’t vape for the flavours.

“They’ve got this weird idea that raspberry flavoured vape juice is what’s making youth vape, and I guess if that’s the case then raspberry flavoured vodka is making youth alcoholics too,” he said.

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A study done by Statistics Canada in 2020, found about one in seven young Canadians reported vaping on a regular basis last year, a level roughly on par with the data the agency collected in 2019.

Researchers also found 14 per cent of teenagers aged 15 to 19 had vaped in the previous month, and the prevalence among young adults aged 20 to 24 was 13 per cent. Raising issue with the inclusion of 20 to 24 year olds as youth, Tetz had his own numbers prepared—1.5 million adult vapors in Canada and of those 75 per cent would be doing so as to quit smoking.

“That’s 1.5 million fewer people with a 50 per cent death sentence from smoking and using a nicotine replacement product that is no more harmful than the patch or nicotine spray that you can buy at the drug store when you are 12 years old,” he said.

In terms of a more positive solution, Tetz argues more focus should be put on the gas stations and convenience stores, where youth can more easily access vape products. Tetz cited a model being used by Ontario that limits the nicotine contents in vape products sold at gas stations to 20 mg, and all flavours are eliminated with the exception of tobacco and mint.The specialty flavours with the higher nicotine levels would only be available in the specialized vape stores that only sell to adults, and have a number of strict measures in place to ensure that.

“Standing in line at the gas station, I’ve watched young people that I would have ID’ed in my store just go head and buy a gas station vape. And it’s kind of disturbing actually,” Tetz said.

Roughly 1,400 vape shops across Canada would be impacted by the federal changes. Tetz is among 300 small business entrepreneurs currently lobbying the federal government to reconsider plans to ban flavours. Over 38,000 emails have been sent to the various members of parliament (MPs).

The health effects of vaping have been debated for years. However, Health Canada agrees with vape advocates on at least one point.

“For persons who smoke, the best thing they can do to improve their health is to quit smoking. However, persons who smoke can also reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke by completely switching to vaping,” the proposed nicotine regulations read.

In January, 2020, the Saskatchewan government introduced its own vaping legislation. Among other things, the legislation restricts the sale of vapour/e-cigarette devices and products to individuals 18 years of age and older; prohibits the display of vapour/e-cigarette products in a retail business where young persons have access; and restricts the use of vapour/e-cigarette products in and around public buildings, including schools.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

— with files from CJME news