The provincial government aims to curb a rise in teen vaping by banning the sale of all flavoured vaping products, except tobacco flavour, beginning Sept. 1.

Vaping products are currently available in a variety of flavours such as bubble gum, chocolate, cotton candy and mango. Research compiled by Health Canada indicates more than half of the young people surveyed said flavour and smell were their main reasons for trying these products. Effective Sept. 1, only tobacco-flavoured vaping products will be allowed for sale in New Brunswick.

Vaping has been marketed to adults as a safer alternative to cigarettes, however most flavoured products still contain nicotine. Some of these products have nicotine levels equal to or higher than the amount found in cigarettes.

The number of young people using vaping products is increasing quickly. According to a survey conducted by the New Brunswick Health Council in 2018-19, 29 per cent of students said they had tried an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, compared with 22 per cent three years previous.

Counselling services for people who want to quit smoking or vaping are available from Go Smoke-Free NB at 1-866-366-3667.