Recommendations to Reduce & Prevent Commercial Tobacco Use & Youth Vaping in Manitoba
Commercial Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Manitoba, claiming 1,525 lives annually and causing severe illness in thousands more. Alarmingly, 26% of Manitoba's kids in grades 10-12 and 7% in grades 7-9 are now using vaping products, risking nicotine addiction and potential commercial tobacco use.
To address these issues, the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance, alongside Heart & Stroke, the Lung Association, Manitoba, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Pharmacists Manitoba, recommend the following best practice, evidence-informed approaches aimed at protecting and improving the health of all people living in Manitoba.
Recommendations:
Raise the Minimum age of purchase for commercial tobacco and vaping products to age 21: Increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products to 21 to reduce teenage initiation.
Ban flavoured vaping products (except tobacco-flavoured): Prohibit the sale of flavoured vaping products, except for tobacco-flavoured options, to deter youth vaping.
Implement a compulsory cost recovery mechanism: Require commercial tobacco manufacturers to fund prevention and reduction efforts through a cost recovery mechanism, aligning with the 'polluter pays' principle.
Read the full recommendations here.
These concise recommendations, rooted in evidence and public support, offer a clear path forward. As the provincial election approaches, we urge you to contact your political candidates and prioritize these critical issues. Together, we can build a healthier, tobacco-free Manitoba.