Member of Vapor Advocates of Ontario demonstrated in front of Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal’s office Friday, protesting against Bill 174, the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act.
Changes to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act will bring tobacco use and vaping under the same legislation. The Vapor Advocates group says these changes make it illegal to display vaping products or for retailers to offer advice.
Yolanda Aubut says many vapors are smokers trying to get off tobacco and need the information the Bill 174 will outlaw.
“They look for that new form of harm reduction to transition from smoking to vaping and stores and shops aid a consumer coming in for information on vaping that is really important,” said Aubut.
But Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Eric Hoskins says the restrictions are meant to apply to convenience stores, where the displays of vaping material would be visible to those under 19 years of age. Hoskins adds negotiations with specialist vaping shops, open only to consumers over 19, could result in the restriction being loosened for them.
Bill 174 is currently in the committee stage of study at Queen’s Park.