Vape shop owner responds to calls for regulation

A Saskatoon vape shop owner has mixed feelings on calls for new e-cigarette regulations.

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Saskatchewan NDP recently requested strict controls on the sale, advertisement, and public use of vapes.

Their calls are based on a new study from the British Medical Journal that found a 74-per-cent increase in vaping for 16- to 19-year-olds.

Ian McWalter, an owner of Heavy Jam Vapor, said he agrees with some of the proposed changes.

“The naming of things is controlled now, and how the labels appear, so I wouldn’t have a problem with an advertising ban,” he said.

He said it’s important to hammer down existing regulations before adding new ones.

“Now, with this talk of regulations on top of regulations that were just implemented, it’s a little tough to understand what’s required,” McWalter said.

Provincial NDP Leader Ryan Meili proposed banning vape e-juice flavours that appeal to young kids. McWalter said there isn’t any logic behind that idea.

“Sweet and good flavours appeal to human beings in general, young or old,” he said. “Having the flavours seems to be what works for a lot of adults who are looking to replace tobacco for the reduced harm vaping has been shown to allow.”

He also criticized the Cancer Society’s calls to raise the legal smoking and vaping age to 21.

“Eighteen, for virtually all things, is considered legal adult (age),” he said.