Have your say on how non-cannabis vapour products should be regulated in Yukon

The Government of Yukon wants to hear from Yukoners about the minimum legal age for access to tobacco and vapour products and how vapour products should be sold, used and promoted. The feedback will inform amendments to the Smoke-Free Places Act.

Non-cannabis vaping has increased across Canada with adolescents reporting the highest levels of vapour product use. More adults are also choosing vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

Yukoners are encouraged to share their thoughts on how tobacco and non-cannabis vapour products should be regulated by submitting feedback before May 31, 2019 at engageyukon.ca.

Our government is proposing to begin regulating vapour products in Yukon by amending the Smoke-Free Places Act. We want to hear from Yukoners about how we can reduce youth access to vapour products while supporting adults looking for an alternative to tobacco.

Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost

It is important that we educate our students and their families about the dangers of smoking and vaping. I encourage parents, educators and youth to get involved and share their thoughts on the use of vapour products so we can help our young people make good choices and keep themselves safe and healthy.

Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee

Quick facts 
  • Vaping can increase exposure to harmful chemicals and can lead to nicotine addiction. Nicotine negatively impacts brain development, meaning young people are at a particularly high risk of harm. The long-term consequences of vaping are unknown.

  • Some evidence has shown a correlation between vaping and smoking initiation among youth.

  • Vaping is used by many adults as a tobacco cessation tool and contains fewer chemicals known to be harmful to health than tobacco. 

  • The Smoke-Free Places Act has not been updated since 2009.

Media contact 

Lisa Bucher
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
lisa.bucher@gov.yk.ca

Julie Menard
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-667-8478
Julie.Menard@gov.yk.ca

News release #: 
19-088