The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) applauds the recent investigations by the Saanich and Calgary police departments into businesses and individuals selling nicotine e-cigarette products to minors.
The Gemini convenience store in Calgary was fined $10,000 for selling e-cigarette products to minors and failing to verify the age of customers under 25, violating the Tobacco, Smoking, and E-cigarette Reduction Act.
Additionally, Saanich police uncovered an operation targeting teens, selling nicotine and cannabis products in middle and high schools through the Snapchat social media platform. Over $100,000 worth of products were seized, but no charges have been filed yet. The Saanich police are working with federal agencies to determine if any laws were broken.
The CVA hopes that charges will be filed under the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) and the Cannabis Act.
"Canada has implemented strong regulations to prevent youth access to vaping products and protect them from the appeal of e-cigarettes. These regulations have proven effective in combating youth experimentation, but no regulation can combat individuals willing to break the law."
Darryl Tempest, a government relations advisor for the Canadian Vaping Association, calls for increased law enforcement resources and is pleased that local police departments are taking action to protect young people.
Currently, penalties for sales to minors are too lenient and do not provide effective deterrence. While initial violations should be met with some leniency, repeated sales to minors should result in harsher fines and penalties.
For those willing to break the law, small fines become a cost of doing business and consequences are seen as benign. Local authorities should consider revoking designated licenses for businesses and professional e-cigarette stores with multiple offenses and severe violations.
Although some health organizations call for stricter regulation of e-cigarettes, regulation alone cannot prevent crime. Research shows that young people most often obtain e-cigarette products through social channels. The solution to preventing illegal access to e-cigarettes for teens is not more regulation, but more enforcement and resources dedicated to enforcement efforts.