The legal age to consume vape or tobacco products in Saskatchewan will change to 19 on February 1. (Photo 135714585 © Tobias Arhelger | Dreamstime.com)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Smoke Age

Vape shops in Battlefords react to Feb. 1 date for age of majority change

Jan 29, 2024 | 4:00 PM

In less than a week, young adults who use vapour or tobacco products will now have to wait an extra year before they can legally get their cravings under control.

The announcement of the change in age minimums was announced last November with the passing of Bill 147 and will take effect February 1. When it was first announced that the amended Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act raised the legal age from 18 to 19, vape shops in the Battlefords were left with as many questions as their customers.

“This decision has put us in a really bad spot,” said Christie Lindsay, owner of Ohso Vape Co.

She explained she and her staff faced abuse from the young customers as they were now faced with the prospect of nicotine withdrawal.

“They never gave any kind of support to those people that are no longer allowed to get what they’re addicted to,” she said, referring to the government.

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“We see a lot of kids – well, I call them kids – a lot of young adults that are breaking down in tears because they can’t access the store.”

In a statement from Dale Hunter, senior media relations consultant for Ministry of Health communications, said that the government believes “Saskatchewan is committed to reducing tobacco use in this province, especially by youth. Nicotine can alter teen brain development, affect memory and concentration.”

At Premium Vape Shop in North Battleford, shop clerk Ashten Pambrun, said they’ve had a different experience. He said while they didn’t face any abuse from their customers over the change, they did have questions about when it would take effect.

“It’s a good thing, kind of getting vaping away from younger people,” he said.

In the original press release dated last November, the government said the change will now line up with cannabis, tobacco and alcohol age restrictions and Health Minister Everett Hindley said, “Tobacco and vapour products should have no place in Saskatchewan schools.”

It went on to say there were changes made to the existing bill to “give greater clarity to existing restrictions on advertising and promotion of vapour products to youth.”

Lindsay said even though it’s just a year’s difference, the people soon to be cut off will find other ways around the law.

“Nine times out of 10 they do whatever they need to do to get that fix,” she said.

“Whether that means that they’re going to enlist in somebody older that’s going to bootleg it for them, which also causes an issue for our store as well,” she said, noting they can’t control what happens to the product outside the door.

According to Pambrun, their shop is busy, and although they do see younger people walk through their doors, their customers base tends to be older.

“Mainly because smoking, like there’s a lot of people that have been smoking for years and they’re trying to find an alternative,” he said.

For those requiring counselling, go to Smokers’ Helpline by calling 1-877-513-5333 or smokershelpline.ca.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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