FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government aims to curb a rise in teen vaping by banning the sale of all flavoured vaping products, except tobacco flavour, beginning Sept. 1.

Vaping products are currently available in a variety of flavours such as bubble gum, chocolate, cotton candy and mango. Research compiled by Health Canada indicates more than half of the young people surveyed said flavour and smell were their main reasons for trying these products. Effective Sept. 1, only tobacco-flavoured products will be allowed for sale in New Brunswick.

Vaping has been marketed to adults as a safer alternative to cigarettes, however most flavoured products still contain nicotine. Some of these products have nicotine levels equal to or higher than the amount found in cigarettes.

“Vaping is not harmless,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “These products contain harmful chemicals and nicotine.”

The number of young people using vaping products is increasing quickly. According to a survey conducted by the New Brunswick Health Council in 2018-19, 29 per cent of students said they had tried an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, compared with 22 per cent three years previous.

Shephard noted that emerging research shows young people who vape are twice as likely to try smoking and are almost twice as likely to become daily smokers within a year.

“We need to give our teens the best possible start in life,” said Shephard. “We need to create an environment where kids are not constantly being exposed to vaping. And we need to support those young people who are already struggling with addiction by providing the resources they need to quit.”

Counselling services for people who want to quit smoking or vaping are available from Go Smoke-Free NB at 1-866-366-3667.

To report retailers selling flavoured vaping products or selling any vaping products to minors, call 1-866-234-4234.