N.B. looks to crack down on youth vaping

The New Brunswick government hopes legislative changes will help crack down on youth vaping in the province.

Officials have introduced a series of amendments to the provincial Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Sales Act.

Health Minister Bruce Fitch said enforcement officers have reported widespread non-compliance with the licensing requirements and flavour ban amongst vape shops.

“Further amendments are needed to strengthen the regulatory framework of the sale of tobacco, smoking supplies, electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids to improve overall compliance and protect the health of young New Brunswickers,” Fitch said in a recent news release.

The proposed changes would require every business that sells e-cigarettes and vaping liquids to be licensed. The cost of those licences would also increase to $200 from the current $100.

Inspectors would be given the power to seize items they believe are evidence of an offence under the provincial act.

Retailers would be required to ask for ID from anyone who looks 25 years old or younger and would have to post notices of convictions and licence suspensions or revocations.

The changes would also prohibit the use of vending machines for the sale of tobacco, smoking supplies, e-cigarettes or vaping liquids.