Health organizations call for immediate action on national vape flavour restrictions to protect youth
OTTAWA, October 27, 2026 – A broad group of leading health organizations today called on the federal government to immediately finalize long-delayed regulations restricting e-cigarette flavours. More than five years after the intended regulations were first announced, the groups say Canadians have waited long enough for action that would help protect youth from nicotine addiction and the health harms associated with vaping.
At a news conference on Parliament Hill, representatives from Heart & Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Lung Association, Action on Smoking & Health Canada, Québec Coalition for Tobacco Control, Canadian Nurses Association and Canadian Pharmacists Association, joined in support by Canadian Medical Association, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Child Health Policy Accelerator and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), pressed Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Health Marjorie Michel to adopt final regulations to restrict vape flavours, regulations that were initially published in 2021 in draft form.
“Canadians have made it clear that they support action to reduce tobacco and nicotine use among youth,” says Sarah Butson, CEO, Canadian Lung Association. “With strong public backing and years of consultation behind us, the federal government needs to move forward with this measure to help reduce youth vaping and protect the next generation from nicotine addiction.”
Speakers from participating organizations noted:
- Vaping rates skyrocketed among adolescents and young adults following the 2018 legalization of e-cigarettes in Canada and have remained alarmingly high. National survey data show that more than one in four Grade 12 students (27%) and more than one in five Grade 11 students (22%) vape.
- Flavours can trivialize the perception of health risks. They entice youth to try vaping and keep vaping by masking the harshness of nicotine and reducing throat irritation.
- Close to half of 16- to 19-year-olds who vape have tried to quit, but research indicates that the majority of youth struggle to quit, in part because vaping products are as addictive as cigarettes.
- A vape flavour ban by the federal government is supported by 78% of Canadians, according to a 2025 Canadian Lung Association national public opinion poll.
- Youth who vape are three times more likely to start smoking and assume all the related health risks.
- The latest research shows a long list of proven harms associated with vaping, from an increased risk of infections, a weakened immune system and respiratory problems to high blood pressure, damaged blood vessels and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Six provinces and territories have already implemented comprehensive flavour restrictions, but federal regulations are needed to provide consistent protection for youth across Canada and help prevent gaps that undermine existing provincial restrictions.
The evidence is clear, and Canadians have waited long enough. It is essential that Prime Minister Carney and Health Minister Michel finalize the vape flavour regulations without further delay.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
- Heart & Stroke: heartandstroke.ca
- Canadian Cancer Society: cancer.ca
- Canadian Lung Association: lung.ca
- Action on Smoking & Health Canada: ash.ca
- Québec Coalition for Tobacco Control: cqct.qc.ca
- Canadian Nurses Association: cna-aiic.ca
- Canadian Pharmacists Association: pharmacists.ca
- Canadian Medical Association: cma.ca
- SickKids Child Health Policy Accelerator: sickkids.ca/en/about/child-health-policy-accelerator
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO): cheo.on.ca