The federal government in Canada is proposing a tax increase on vaping products as part of this year’s budget, raising the price of a vape pod by 12 to 24 cents depending on location. This tax hike is expected to generate $310 million for the government over the next five years. The goal of the tax increase is to reduce high vaping rates among younger Canadians. However, public health experts have expressed concerns about the tax missing the mark and potentially leading to unintended consequences. One expert, Rob Cunningham from the Canadian Cancer Society, believes the tax increase is a step in the right direction, but feels that the government could go even further to discourage vaping.
Despite some experts wishing for a higher tax on vaping products, there are concerns that such a tax increase may push some Canadians back to smoking cigarettes. Research done in the United States found that an increase in e-cigarette taxes led to a decline in e-cigarette use but also resulted in an increase in conventional cigarette use. To combat this unintended consequence, the federal government has also implemented a tobacco tax increase in addition to the vaping tax. However, there are concerns that the increase in cigarette taxes may not be substantial enough to deter people from smoking. The pricing differences between cigarettes and vapes may not be significant enough to completely sway consumers towards vaping over smoking.
Members of the vaping community, such as Maria Papaioannou and Marion Burt, have raised concerns about potential bans on vape liquid flavors and increased taxes on vaping products. They believe that such measures could lead to an increase in cigarette consumption, as seen in the United States due to similar policies. However, some individuals, like Burt, are determined to continue vaping even if the government makes it more expensive or restricts flavors. Burt credits vaping with helping her quit smoking, and she is willing to find alternative, unregulated sources for vape products to maintain her healthier lifestyle.
While vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, Dr. Shawn Aaron, a respirologist, emphasizes that it still poses serious health risks. He notes that vaping is associated with various diseases, and individuals who start vaping are at risk of continuing with nicotine use or transitioning to smoking cigarettes. With the potential long-term health consequences of vaping still unknown, Aaron urges the government to take action to address the health risks associated with vaping before it’s too late to reverse course. He emphasizes the urgency for the federal government to intervene more aggressively as more information becomes available about the negative health effects of vaping.
The Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey found that vaping with fruit flavors is common among young Canadians, with nearly half of adults using fruit flavors the most. The federal government had initially proposed regulations to prohibit flavors in e-cigarettes, with exceptions for mint and menthol. However, as of 2024, there is still no federal flavor ban in place. Dr. Aaron stresses that while vaping may be perceived as less harmful than smoking, it still carries serious health risks and could potentially lead individuals to start smoking cigarettes in the future. He hopes that the government will take decisive action to regulate vaping products and protect public health in Canada.
Overall, the proposed tax increase on vaping products in Canada has elicited mixed reactions from public health experts, members of the vaping community, and researchers. While some experts believe that higher taxes could deter vaping among younger Canadians, others are concerned about unintended consequences such as a potential increase in cigarette smoking. The debate around flavor bans and the long-term health effects of vaping continues, with calls for stronger government intervention to regulate the industry and protect public health. Individuals like Marion Burt are determined to continue vaping despite potential obstacles, highlighting the personal impact these decisions can have on individuals striving for healthier lifestyles.
