The use of vaping products among teenagers and young adults in Quebec continues to be a significant concern, with teenagers being twice as likely as adults to engage in vaping, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ).
A recent study published on Feb. 3 by the public health research institute revealed that the prevalent use of flavored vaping products was a key factor driving this trend.
To combat the rise in youth vaping, the Quebec government implemented a ban on the sale of flavored vaping liquids such as fruit, mint, and menthol, with the exception of tobacco flavor, starting on Oct. 31, 2023.
While a survey conducted by INSPQ indicated a decrease in vaping among teenagers aged 16 to 19 from 20 percent in 2022 to 13 percent in 2024, they still remained nearly twice as likely to vape compared to adults.
In contrast, adult vaping rates remained relatively stable, with 5.8 percent in 2024 compared to 6.7 percent in 2023 after the ban. However, almost half of the surveyed adults admitted to still using flavored vaping products.
Research suggested that specialty stores selling vaping products were the main source of flavored products, as their popularity had been increasing prior to the ban.
Despite this, data from convenience stores and gas stations showed a significant decrease in vaping product sales following the ban, dropping from $4.6 million in October 2023 to $2.3 million in November 2023. Sales remained around $2.5 million per month in the first half of 2024.
Following the ban, tobacco-flavored vapes dominated sales, accounting for nearly 70 percent, a stark increase compared to the previous year when fruit and mint flavors comprised over 80 percent of sales.
Disposable vaping products continued to be popular, raising concerns among researchers due to their appealing packaging and lower cost, which could attract young users.
Despite the popularity of disposable devices, the study highlighted that vapers were unlikely to switch to traditional cigarettes in the absence of flavored vaping products, as evidenced by cigarette sales data.
The leading brand in the vaping market, Vuse, maintained a strong presence, outperforming competitors like Juul, although all brands experienced a decline in sales post-ban.
