MPP Gélinas reintroduces bill to protect youth from harms of vaping
QUEEN’S PARK May 27, 2026 — NDP Health Critic MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), was joined with health professionals and people with lived experience were in the Queen’s Park media studio this morning to discuss the need for further legislative action around vaping in Ontario.
“Studies are showing that the number of youths vaping in high school continues to increase,” said MPP Gélinas. “It is continually reported that over a quarter of high school aged kids in Ontario vape. These kids are at risk of harm done to their lungs and brain development. The Ontario government is failing to protect our kids and is leaving our youth in a position of possible lasting damage to their health.”
In 2023, Quebec banned flavoured vaping products and limited sales of vaping products geared towards youth with animal, characters, food, and toy shapes. “Vaping is not harmless. The legislative changes in Québec have shown a reduction in youth vaping according to public health Québec. Why is Ontario allowing a predatory vaping industry to operate unfettered while our neighbours take action to protect their young,” asked MPP Gélinas.
“These measures would protect our youth from risks to their health. Without action, our kids are vulnerable to consuming these products without knowing the harmful effects. Parents, families, and schools are worried, yet the government is not helping. A quarter of high school kids are vaping, this is far too many, and it is time for Ontario to support and protect our kids,” said Gélinas.
“The Canadian Lung Association applauds the reintroduction of the Vaping is Not for Kids Bill, which delivers critical, overdue protections for young people against the dangers of vaping. Nicotine is highly addictive, and the rise of youth vaping poses an immediate threat to an entire generation of healthy lungs. Our mandate has always been to ensure that every Canadian can breathe free—and preventing youth nicotine dependency is absolutely central to that mission.”
Sarah Butson, CEO of the Canadian Lung Association