Image Credit: Canadian Press

By Todd Stone / Kamloops-South Thompson MLA

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Government action on vaping a welcome sign

Nov 28, 2019 | 2:27 PM

AFTER OVER SEVEN MONTHS of calling for aggressive action to combat youth vaping in B.C. — including the introduction of my private member’s bill on this issue last April — I’m cautiously optimistic that actions are now beginning to unfold to address the rapid rise of vaping in B.C., as the government finally takes to heart my concerns, and those of medical professionals, educators, and parents across the province.

Last week, government tabled a bill that will bring with it actions to combat the growing epidemic of youth vaping. This should send a message that the collective focus of opposing sides of the political spectrum can work together to tackle issues that affect every corner of British Columbia. This is a positive step towards creating a better province for our kids, and keeping them healthy as we do that.

The anti-youth vaping action plan does address a number of the actions I have been calling for since last spring. This includes tighter retail controls, tougher penalties for non-compliance, enhanced enforcement, nicotine concentration limits, a ban on advertising, restrictions on flavouring, and a concentrated focus on deterrence and education programs. However, there are several areas of concern that represent missed opportunities in the government’s action plan.

In my private members bill, I specifically called for the outright ban of flavoured vaping products. Though I have never doubted that vaping represents a smoking cessation option for many adult smokers, I have never understood the need for allowing kid-friendly flavours like cotton candy and bubblegum. These flavours are enticing to youth. The mere fact that they are for sale puts our youth at risk. The NDP action plan merely limits the sale of flavoured e-juice to age-restricted shops, which could keep those flavours available through the black market and secondary selling. A ban on all flavouring would go further to reducing their availability.

During debates on the government bill this week in Victoria, my colleagues and I tried to convince the NDP to make some amendments that would create a stronger framework for transparency and accountability related to the action plan. Specifically, we were disappointed to see the NDP government say no to three amendments which would have either created a designated education fund for vaping PST revenue, put all vaping PST revenue into the existing Special Health Account, or at a minimum, require an annual report out to the Legislature of total PST revenues collected and how the revenue was spent. It’s critical to ensure the revenue collected from the PST on vaping products actually goes into programs to lower youth vaping rates. The best way to make that happen is to robustly resource education programs focused on awareness, prevention and support in every middle and high school across B.C.

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The NDP’s action plan increases the PST on vaping products from 7 to 20 per cent, a notable increase that will undoubtedly dissuade purchases of nicotine-laden vapes like Juuls. However, this was also applied to legal cannabis vaping products. We asked that the 20 per cent PST not apply to cannabis vape juice, and at minimum, not apply to medical cannabis ingested via vaping equipment. The NDP said no to this as well. This is a win for the black market and a loss for public safety as we worry that the tax will dissuade buyers from purchasing through the regulated market, pushing them to illegal channels. Additionally, this makes medical cannabis the only prescription medicine to have PST attached to it in B.C.

Moving forward, we will be vigilant in holding the government accountable for implementing the anti-youth vaping actions as quickly as possible. We will monitor the effectiveness of the government’s decision not to proceed with an outright ban on flavoured vaping products, and we will advocate for the strong education programs that are needed. Nothing less than the health of our youth is at stake.

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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.