The Grey Bruce Health Unit is concerned with an increase in youth vaping, which could increase the risk of smoking.
Health unit enforcement officers, school staff and bus drivers complain vaping is a significant issue, with students vaping in schools and on buses.
Health unit enforcement officers have already issued five times as many tickets related to vaping this year than in all of last year.
So far in 2019, enforcement officers have issued 25 tickets for vaping in a prohibited place. That compares with five in all of 2018.
This uptake in vaping threatens to turn back the clock to reduce tobacco use. Research shows that youth who vape are at increased risk of moving on to cigarettes.
According to a report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Health, "there is substantial evidence that e-cigarette use increases risk of ever using combustible tobacco cigarettes among youth and young adults."
“Vaping may seem low risk, but there is growing evidence it causes serious harm to the lungs, heart and respiratory system,” said Brooke Tomsett, a youth advisor in the Tobacco Prevention Program. “When heated and inhaled, the ingredients in e-liquids affect lung function. Many products have high amounts of nicotine that increase the risk of addiction.”
The fine and fees for a ticket related to vaping on school property is $305
In addition, enforcement officers have issued nine youth diversion programs for students under 16 years. This program diverts first-time young offenders (aged 12 to 16 years) of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 from the courts and supports positive youth development.
