Today, Newmarket-Aurora MPP, Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot files the first of a regular monthly column series for NewmarketToday about provincial initiatives and issues impacting our community.
Many families in Newmarket have shared their concerns with me and my office about the rise of youth vaping in our community and across Ontario and its possible health impacts. As your MPP and Ontario’s minister of health, I want you to know our government takes very seriously the health and safety of all Ontarians, especially our children and youth, and has already taken steps to address this growing issue.
Recent numbers suggest youth vaping in Canada has increased 74 per cent among those aged 16 to 19 from 2017 to 2018, with nearly one in five Grade 12 students reported using an e-cigarette in the past year.
Vaping is not without risk, and the potential long-term effects of vaping remain uncertain. Our brains continue to develop until adulthood and addiction to nicotine happens faster and at lower levels of nicotine in an adolescent brain than an adult brain. The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to nicotine’s negative effects, which can include altering brain development, affecting memory and concentration. We have also all seen reports in the media of young people being hospitalized and diagnosed with severe lung disease suspected to be linked to the use of e-cigarettes.
It has become clear we do not have access to sufficient data and information to understand the potential scope of this issue. For this reason, I issued a Minister’s Order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to require public hospitals in Ontario to provide the Chief Medical Officer of Health with statistical, non-identifying information for incidents of vaping-related severe pulmonary disease. The order is just the first step our government is taking to identify solutions that meaningfully respond to this emerging issue.
We are also taking urgent action to address the issue of youth vaping by banning the promotion of vapour products in convenience stores and gas stations. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the promotion of vapour products in retail stores will only be permitted in specialty vape stores and cannabis retail stores, which are only open to people aged 19 and over.
These changes follow consultations with stakeholders — including experts, communities and families concerned with youth vaping and the promotion of vapour products — as well as new and emerging research from health experts that indicate vaping among Ontario’s youth is on the rise. These first steps will help begin to curb the alarming increase in young people who are vaping. But we still have lots of work to do.
As we look to protect our children and youth from the negative health impacts of vaping, we also want to ensure the continued success of entrepreneurs and small business owners. I believe together we can come up with a practical approach that will better protect our children and youth from vaping.
Over the coming months, we will keep you and your families informed of our governments’ work to tackle this significant health concern. If you would like to share your thoughts or concerns, please reach out to my office by calling 905-853-9889.
