Saskatchewan won’t implement vaping regulations despite increased health concerns

Vaping can expose users to toxic chemicals and increases their risk of having a heart attack, according to a pair of recently released studies.

“Most people think that ‘oh it’s just water vapor’ but no. This study would suggest that there is more in this vapor than simply water,” Donna Pasiechnik, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Saskatchewan tobacco manager cautioned.

A report from John Hopkins University found that the aerosol vapor from over 50 per cent of sampled e-cigarette devices contained concentrations of toxic metals like lead, manganese, nickel and chromium that exceeded health limits. They also found that nearly 11 per cent of samples contained arsenic.

“Electronic cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, but they’re not harmless. It was only a matter of time before studies began to show how harmful they are,” Pasiechnik said.

Originally marketed as a way to quit smoking cigarettes, a separate study found that while they effectively accomplished that goal, e-cigarettes also promoted smoking among youth; particularly those who already used e-cigarettes.

“E-cigs provide a very easy mechanism for kids to get addicted to nicotine, and it’s a very easy hop from there to smoking,” Pasiechnik explained.

Part of the problem is that there is no legislation stopping teens from purchasing e-cigarettes in Saskatchewan; something every other province, with the exception of Alberta, has done.

That means it’s up to store owners to decide whether or not they will sell to minors.

“Any reputable shop won’t sell to minors, there are shops that are selling to minors, and will continue to do so until regulations are in place, and unfortunately we can’t stop them because there are no laws,” Mike Smider, the co-founder of Queen City Vapes, lamented.

Pressed about their inaction, the provincial government repeated that they are awaiting direction from the federal government. They’ve been waiting for over three years.

“You know we’re learning more each day, and we’re monitoring what was happening in other provinces, but of recent times we’re interested in a federal approach to this,” Tim Macaulay, a director with the Ministry of Health said.

A federal bill is currently before the House of Commons, and supports national regulations around vaping, but there is no timetable on a decision.