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By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Province turns to a tried and true method to curb youth vaping — a sin tax

Nov 15, 2019 | 1:18 PM

ONE OF THE VANGUARDS of public policy is that if you don’t want the public to do something, you tax it.

That’s why it was no surprise to see a big tax hike to vaping products as part of the province’s youth vaping strategy announced this week.

The provincial sales tax rate on vape products will increase from seven per cent to 20 per cent, and BC will be the first province to have a tax specific to vape products.

The thinking is young people are already strapped for cash, so making vaping super expensive will deter them from starting.

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Sorry, adult users: you are collateral damage.

Of course, there are other regulations besides the tax hike.

The nicotine content in pods and liquid will be kept to 20 milligrams per millilitre, and manufacturers will have to create cigarette-style scary warning labels about health risks.

Advertising for vapour products will be restricted to areas where young people don’t typically gather.

And flavoured products will only be sold in stores that have age restrictions.

Our MLA from Kamloops-South Thompson, Todd Stone, should be lauded for his out-front advocacy on this issue. It was an example of a very constructive official opposition.

But the new tax is the real hammer.

Taxes meant to limit an activity are sometimes described as sin taxes, and are well-known to cigarette smokers.

They are also well-known to anyone who drives a car in Canada, as the carbon tax is properly described as a sin tax.

We can still burn fuels that generate carbon dioxide, it’s just that we’ll pay for the privilege.

Many economists swear it works and believe it’s the best way to de-incentivize an activity without completely banning it.

The government is banking a lot on these changes causing the epidemic of youth vaping to evaporate into thin air.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.