Five years, no vape flavour ban: Doctors and pharmacists associations want action from Ottawa

Canada’s leading medical and pharmacy associations have joined calls on the federal government to restrict flavoured vaping products, warning that continued delays are putting more young people at risk of nicotine addiction.On Tuesday, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) were among 10 national health organizations that called on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Health Minister Marjorie Michel to finalize regulations first proposed more than five years ago.According to national survey data cited by the organizations, 27% of Grade 12 students and 22% of Grade 11 students vape. Nearly half of 16- to 19-year-olds who vape have tried to quit, but research suggests many struggle to overcome nicotine dependence.“Pharmacists see firsthand how difficult nicotine dependence can be to overcome,” said Sadaf Faisal, CPhA’s chief pharmacist officer.“Flavoured vaping products can make experimentation more appealing and sustained use more likely among young people. Finalizing these regulations would help reduce exposure to products that can lead to long-term nicotine addiction.”Five years of draft legislation The proposed federal restrictions, first published in draft form in 2021, would limit the flavours permitted in vaping products. Health organizations argue that fruit and other sweet flavours make vaping more appealing to young people by masking nicotine’s harshness and reducing throat irritation.“Physicians across Canada are concerned about the impact of vaping on the health of young people,” said Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, president of the CMA.“The evidence linking nicotine exposure and vaping to adverse health outcomes continues to grow. Finalizing these regulations would be an important step toward protecting youth from preventable harm.”Six provinces and territories have already introduced comprehensive flavour restrictions. However, the organizations say federal regulations are needed to close gaps between jurisdictions, particularly when vaping products can be purchased online.The CMA and CPhA were joined by organizations including Heart & Stroke, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Lung Association and the Canadian Nurses Association.A 2025 Canadian Lung Association poll found that 78% of Canadians supported a federal ban on vape flavours.“The federal government first proposed these regulations in 2021 and many thousands of youth have started using vaping products in the interim,” said Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society.The organizations say further consultations are unnecessary and are urging Ottawa to adopt the regulations without additional delays.

Five years, no vape flavour ban: Doctors and pharmacists associations want action from Ottawa

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