E-cigarette and vapour vendors have new laws to contend with after provincial regulations controlling the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarettes kicked in last week.
The new changes mean anti-smoking laws now cover vapour products, as well. The intention of the amendment is to “stop the growing use of e-cigarettes by young people in British Columbia,” noted a press release from the province.
Under the new regulations, e-cigarette products are treated the same as other tobacco products that include nicotine. Smoking e-cigarettes, like regular cigarettes is now banned on private and public school grounds; in indoor spaces and workplaces; and in vehicles with kids.
Vapour vendors are now required by law to ensure they sell only to adults 19 years old and up; retail displays are prohibited if visible to youth; and advertising can’t be displayed in areas where youth or kids may see it, noted the release.
But some of these regulations are too strict, according to Kyle Wiles, manager at The Ohm Depot in North Burnaby.
“I kind of understand having to block out our windows, but I feel like people think we’re closed now. I’ve had a lot of people say, ‘Oh hey I thought you were closed down,’ even though we have a neon sign and a sandwich board.”
Wiles said without the storefront displays, which are banned under the new regulations, his shop looks like it does when it’s closed after 7 p.m. He’s also worried that because the shop’s curtains aren’t flush against the window, as required under the new regulations, he could face a fine down the road.
“The guy who used to own this store put in some antique, handmade metal welded bars – it looks artsy – and that’s obviously something we would want there. We don’t want to put the drapes in front of that and hide it all,” he said, adding that since starting at The Ohm Depot three years ago, he’s only had one police officer drop by.
Wiles is also not keen on the restriction that says only two customers at a time can sample vapours or e-cigarettes indoors.
“I just found that a little strange to put a number on it,” he said.
But only time will tell what, if any, impact the new regulations will have on the North Burnaby store and others like it, Wiles said.
“If this just stunts growth, I could probably see us closing down one day if we can’t work our way around it,” he added. “It just sucks. It sucks to be held back, regulated, I think nobody likes that.”
The new act came into effect Sept. 1 after it was introduced in spring of 2015 as a way of discouraging youth from becoming addicted to tobacco products. According to the province, one in five Canadian youth have tried an e-cigarette.
