The federal government has proposed a tax increase on vaping products in this year’s budget, with the price of a vape pod set to increase between 12 to 24 cents depending on location starting on July 1. The tax increase is expected to bring in $310 million to the government over the next five years. Public health experts have mixed feelings about the tax, with some believing it is not high enough to effectively reduce vaping rates among younger Canadians. Rob Cunningham from the Canadian Cancer Society believes the government could go even higher with the tax increase to have a more significant impact on reducing vaping.
Young Canadians, particularly those between the ages of 15 to 24, have been found to have high rates of vaping, with one in 15 teens and one in 10 young adults reporting daily vaping in 2022. While some experts believe that the tax increase may help reduce vaping rates, others have concerns about unintended consequences, such as an increase in smoking rates. Research from the United States has shown that e-cigarette tax increases can lead to a decline in e-cigarette use but may also result in an increase in conventional cigarette use. In response, the federal government also announced a tobacco tax increase to address this issue.
There are concerns that the tax increase and potential flavour ban on vaping products could lead to an increase in cigarette smoking in Canada. Some members of the vaping community, such as Maria Papaioannoy from Rights4Vapers, are worried that a flavour ban combined with the tax increase could lead to the sale of four billion extra cigarettes in the first year. However, others, like Marion Burt, are determined to continue vaping despite the potential changes. Burt credits vaping with helping her quit smoking and is willing to find alternative ways to continue using vaping products even if they become more expensive or restricted.
Flavoured vaping products are popular among Canadians, with fruit flavours being the most commonly reported flavour used by young people aged 15 to 24 and adults aged 25 and older. The federal government had initially proposed regulations to prohibit most flavours from being added to e-cigarettes, except for mint and menthol, but as of 2024, there is still no federal flavour ban in place. Health experts warn that vaping, while marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, still carries serious health risks and can lead to long-term complications and diseases. They urge the government to act swiftly to prevent potential negative health outcomes associated with vaping.
Despite the potential tax increase and flavour ban, some members of the vaping community remain committed to continue vaping. Marion Burt, for example, plans to find alternatives to official vaping products if the government imposes stricter regulations or increases taxes. While there are concerns about the impact of these measures on smoking rates and overall public health, the debate surrounding vaping, taxation, and regulation continues among experts, policymakers, and the vaping community in Canada. The future of vaping in the country remains uncertain as the government navigates the balance between reducing vaping rates among young people and addressing potential unintended consequences.
