In Canada, the popularity of vaping continues to increase. One in six young Canadians now uses electronic cigarettes, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. According to expert opinion, this popularity appears to be fueled by advertisements in stores and on television, and they now need to be much more severely regulated.
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These same public health experts in Canada had warned the Canadian government last year that allowing manufacturers to advertise e-cigarettes would increase consumption among youth and young adults.
According to Robert Schwartz at Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, which conducts research on the issue, it is urgent to impose restrictions on advertising " given the number of young people who become addicted ».
Health Canada responds that it intends to put in place new measures to curb the increase in the number of young vapers. A proposal would further restrict advertisements. In addition, the ministry would implement a new public education campaign and limits on the display of vaping products at certain points of sale.
There is a sense of urgency in the country, especially with school officials talking about an epidemic. In some high schools in Montreal and Vancouver, the directorates decided to restrict access to toilets to prevent the use of the electronic cigarette.
According to David Hammond, a public health researcher at the University of Waterloo, Canadian teen smoking appears to be increasing for the first time in 30 years, and vaping has increased by 74% between 2017 and 2018.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT E-CIGARETTE REGULATIONS IN CANADA
The Tobacco and Voke Products Act already prohibits the sale in Canada of such products to minors. It places restrictions on where advertising can be placed; the imposition of 
restrictions on the content of advertisements; the imposition of restrictions on the presentation of products in stores; the obligation to include in adverts warnings about the health impacts of products.
All provinces except Alberta and Saskatchewan have rules to regulate vaping. The Ontario government, however, has weakened its legislation recently by allowing advertising in convenience stores and gas stations.
According to Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, there should be a total ban on advertising for electronic cigarettes on television and radio.
The federal government recognizes that "our youth are in crisis" and is taking steps to address it, says Neil Collishaw, Director of Research, Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. " There is however some problemhe added. He is worried that the adoption of the new regulations will take two years or more, especially because of the upcoming federal election.
« It will be two more years during which children will be exposed to commercials Said Mr. Collishaw.
