The City of Hamilton's Public Health Services is concerned about the growing issue of access to and use of vapour products among minors. Nicotine impacts the development of the teenage brain, affecting learning, memory and concentration. Evidence shows that youth who vape are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes. Parents, retailers and community members can all play a part in the vaping epidemic by curbing the sale and supply of vaping products to minors. Together, we can protect the health of our future generation and create a safer and healthier environment for our community.
Retailers and store clerks
Recent data shows high sales of vapour products to minors within our city, with almost 60 charges to date in 2023. Selling or supplying vapour products to minors is illegal and may result in fines. To combat these sales, it is essential that retailers and their employees receive comprehensive training on proper identification procedures and verify the age of customers before any vapour product sales occur.
Illegal vapour products have also been seized, including high nicotine concentration and flavoured vapour products, which resulted in fines issued to owners and operators of retail establishments. Convictions for Hamilton retailers are posted on the City website at hamilton.ca/TobaccoRetailerConvictions.
Parents and caregivers
The majority of young people believe it is easy to access vapour products, and often obtain them through social channels such as friends or parents. It is crucial that parents, caregivers and friends refrain from purchasing or providing vapour products to youth who are not yet 19 years old, as this is illegal and may result in a fine. Parents hold a pivotal role in influencing their children's choices and behaviors and should familiarize themselves with the health risks associated with vaping and engage in informed and non-judgmental conversations with their children.
For more information or to file a complaint about retailers selling vapour products to minors, residents can call the Tobacco Hotline at (905) 540-5566 or email tobacco@hamilton.ca. The City also encourages individuals seeking information about vaping to visit www.hamilton.ca/tobacco.
Quick Facts:
- A campaign about the sale and supply of vapour products to minors is running in Hamilton over the coming months to educate retailers, their employees, parents/caregivers and peers. This will include parent education sessions, retailer resources and marketing.
- The Province's Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits the sale or supply of vapour products to anyone under the age of 19 and carries a $490 fine for violations.
- Data from the 2022 Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey shows that 30 per cent of youth ages 15 to 19 years have tried vaping in their lifetime, while 13.6 per cent report past 30-day use of vapour products.
As a community, it is our collective responsibility to reduce youth access to vapour products in order to protect Hamilton's youth from the negative health impacts of nicotine use and addiction. Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in influencing their children's choices and must educate themselves about the harms of vaping. Retailers and employees can ensure that they are part of the solution by diligently checking identification of all customers who appear less than 25 years old.
Dr. Elizabeth, Medical Officer of Health
