The eJuices.co team is always concerned whenever a flavor ban or any restrictions or excessive legislation on the vaping industry is imposed. Whether it’s here or internationally, we seek to understand the trends in the industry so we can inform you of the best decisions to make for your business. Our account managers and sales representatives are ready to answer any questions or concerns you might have. That being said, we have heard that Canada is ready to do a near-total ban on flavors.
Canada Bans Almost All Flavors
Vaping360’s Jim McDonald reported extensively on Canada’s flavor ban, which also includes a cap on nicotine strength at 20 mg. A similar proposal on limiting nicotine strength was also floated in New Jersey, which banned flavored vaping products in April 2020. The eJuices.co team believed that a capping of nicotine strength would be a fair compromise, but Canada’s ban on almost every flavor (excluding tobacco, menthol, and mint) is going to shock Canada’s vaping industry, as retailers will have to sell off almost all flavors that are not tobacco, menthol, and mint by July 23.
Health Canada is not only proposing a flavor ban, but even setting out a list of ingredients that are permitted to create tobacco, menthol, and mint vape juice flavorings. The agency estimates that 80-85% of existing tobacco and menthol/mint vape juices will have to be reformulated for the Canadian market, which may prove to be a huge regulatory hurdle for USA-based vape juice manufacturers who sell to the Canadian market.
What This Means For Canadian Vapers and the Vaping Industry
Canadians will lose access to flavors near the end of July. The majority of flavors could be gone altogether by January 2022, although things may change between now and then. Health Canada has unfortunately followed the narrative we have seen here in the United States that banning flavors is meant to prevent youth vaping. Canadian vapers are taking action. The Vaping Industry Trade Association of Canada (VITA) created a website to facilitate Canadian vapers’ response.
Canadian vapers have also made a petition to the House of Commons, namely to curb Health Canada’s authority regarding vaping products. “The House of Commons, not unelected bureaucrats, should be deciding on policies that impact the lives of millions of Canadians,” the petition says.
The eJuices.co team is keeping track of vaping news all around the world. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact your eJuices.co account manager or sales representative. We’re looking forward to speaking with you and helping your business succeed.