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Media Contacts

Ministry of Health

Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Backgrounders

Vaping action plan: updates
  • Regulate nicotine content in vapour products:
    • in force July 2020, for new retailers
    • Existing retailers have until Sept. 15, 2020, to sell existing stock.
  • Restrict the sale of flavoured vapour products.
    • in force July 2020, for new retailers
    • Existing retailers have until Sept. 15, 2020, to sell existing stock.
  • Implement new labelling requirements to include plain packaging and health warnings:
    • in force July 2020
  • Strengthen restrictions on public advertising:
    • in force July 2020
  • Increase the provincial sales tax on vapour products and accessories:
    • completed Jan. 1, 2020.
  • Create a provincial youth advisory committee to support and advise on youth vaping, education, social awareness and other initiatives:
    • to begin in August 2020
  • Distribute the BC Lung Association vaping prevention toolkit provincewide to schools for students, parents and educators:
    • completed Jan. 1, 2020
  • Launch a stop vaping youth social awareness and marketing campaign:
    • launched November 2019
  • Enhanced QuitNow resources for youth wanting to quit vaping:
    • completed
Provincial youth advisory council

On Nov. 14, 2019, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Rob Fleming, Minister of Education, announced the Province’s Vaping Action Plan that included launching a provincial youth advisory council.

The purpose of the council is to:

  • have a sole focus on youth vaping;
  • engage the youth voice and perspective;
  • provide feedback on existing actions in the action plan; and
  • identify additional actions and initiatives that would be effective in reducing youth vaping.

The original proposal was to establish an in-person council that would operate for approximately 18 months, meeting approximately quarterly over the school year.

  • The launch was proposed for May 2020.
  • A decision on the creation of the council was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of school classes.

Provincial youth vaping advisory council – terms of reference

Overview:

E-cigarettes have become popular among youth in recent years. They are easy to access, come in a variety of appealing flavours and are promoted as safe and fun by many influencers. These products may cause health risks and have not been fully evaluated for safety and quality by Health Canada. The evidence is mounting that the health-related impacts, and number of youth who are addicted to nicotine is on the rise.

On Nov. 14, 2019, one of the key commitments from the provincial vaping action plan, made by the Minister of Health on behalf of the Province, was to establish a provincial youth vaping advisory council (the council) to actively engage youth on this important issue.

Mandate:

The mandate of the council is to provide advice and inform vaping related education and awareness and social awareness campaigns, as well as identify other actions and initiatives with the goal to support the health and wellness and improve the overall resilience of youth.

Term:

The first term of the council will be from September 2020, to June 2021 (eight months). The first meeting is expected to occur in September or October 2020, with meetings throughout the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.

Membership:

The council membership will be drawn from B.C., youth aged 13 to 18 years.

Youth selections for the council will reflect regional representation, support diversity of perspectives and varied provincial contexts.

Students may qualify for course credit, acknowledging their work on the council and discuss with their school principal how they might access credits for Independent directed studies.

Working groups:

Working groups may be established as needed, to develop resources based on the council's advice and/or ministry direction. Working group membership may consist of council members, as well as external members, as needed.

Frequency of meetings:

The advisory will meet quarterly (up to four times per year) virtually. Special ad hoc meetings may also be called as required.

Agenda and minutes:

Ministry representatives will provide an agenda in advance of the meeting. Notes will be taken at the meeting and a record of discussion will be shared with all group members.

Secretariat and support:

The sponsoring ministry will provide secretariat support to the council.

Review of the terms of reference:

The terms of reference will be reviewed by the council to ensure they remain current. At the discretion of the ministry, the terms of reference and membership of the council may also be reviewed and adjusted.

Confidentiality:

It is understood that meetings and discussions of the council are not confidential. However, at the discretion of the ministry, members may be asked to keep specific items confidential. Names of members may be shared publicly.