Released on August 25, 2021
Two significant changes to the way vapour products are sold in Saskatchewan will take place next week.
On September 1, The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Amendment Regulations, 2021 will come into force, limiting the sale of flavoured vapour products to age-restricted vapour product shops and limiting marketing and availability to youth.
"Vaping exposes our young people to harmful and addictive chemicals," Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "Our government is supporting efforts to reduce youth vaping rates by ensuring fruit and candy flavoured vaping products targeting youth are only sold where youth are not present."
September 1, 2021 will also see the sales tax charged on vapour products increase from 6% to 20%, as the new Vapour Products Tax (VPT) officially takes effect. This will bring the taxation of vapour products in line with the taxation of tobacco and cigarettes.
"With the introduction of The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, our government acknowledged that the tobacco and vaping industries are connected," Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance Donna Harpauer said. "Our tax system reflects this with the introduction of the VPT. We are bringing vaping in line with the taxation of other harmful nicotine and tobacco products sold in Saskatchewan."
The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act came into force in February 2020 and aligned regulation of vapour products with that of tobacco products by:
- restricting the sale of vapour products to individuals 18 years of age and older;
- prohibiting the display of vapour products in a retail business where young persons have access;
- restricting the use of vapour products in and around public buildings, including schools and school grounds;
- prohibiting the sale of vapour products from specified facilities such as amusement parks, arcades, and theatres where youth frequent;
- restricting advertising of vapour products by prohibiting advertising signs and promotional signs in areas where young persons can enter; and
- expanding the authority of tobacco enforcement officers to include enforcement of vapour product restrictions.
For more information on vapour and tobacco product regulation, visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/wellness-and-prevention/tobacco-and-vapour-products.
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For more information, contact:
Brian Miller
Finance
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6605
Email: brian.miller@gov.sk.ca
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca