Manitoba government to double taxes on vaping products as early as next year

Manitoba is preparing to increase taxes on vaping next year, in an effort to reduce the use of such products among young people.

The announcement was made on Dec. 26, with the provincial NDP government looking to double existing federal excise taxes on the products in the upcoming spring budget. The tax levies are expected to be implemented by July 1, 2024.

For premier Wab Kinew, the move sends a message to young people about the “dangers of vaping.”

“It’s another step to bring Manitoba in line with what other provinces are doing,” he said.

Kinew added that the tax would bring in $11 million in one year, which would go towards paying for anti-vaping and anti-smoking programs.

The provincial push for tax increases comes after the federal government implemented its own increase last fall. Saskatchewan announced a 20 per cent provincial tax in 2021, and Ontario announced it was double the federal excise tax last month.

Combined, manufacturers and importers would pay $2 for every two milliliters of vaping liquid for the first 10 milliliters. Every 10 milliliters above that would see a $2 cost.

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Speaking to 680 CJOB on Wednesday, Rob Cunningham with the Canadian Cancer Society said increasing the prices of such products has the desired effect. He noted that even with the legal age to purchase vape products sitting at 18, youth are finding ways around it.

Pre-pandemic, the number of youth vaping was on the rise, according to Cunningham.

“…higher tobacco taxes reduce youth smoking… higher prices for e-cigarette products are going to reduce youth vaping,” he said.

— With files from The Canadian Press.