Canadians find teenagers’ use of vape disturbing, survey finds
TORONTO — The majority of Canadians are concerned about the use of e-cigarettes among youth, with almost 90 per cent backing a ban of the vaping products for those under 18, a national survey suggests.
The survey by the Angus Reid Institute, released Tuesday, found that support for prohibiting vaping among minors crossed all age and gender demographics, among tobacco smokers and non-smokers alike.
“The one big take-away is that concern about vaping really does focus and centre on the impact on children,” said Shachi Kurl, executive director of the non-profit polling organization based in Vancouver.
In the online survey of 1,500 adults aged 18 and older, 75 per cent of respondents said government should be able to make rules for packaging and labelling of e-cigarettes; 69 per cent agreed promotion and marketing of vaping products should be restricted; and 62 per cent endorsed the idea that flavoured versions should be taken off the market.
The Angus Reid survey conducted last month found 18 per cent of respondents had given vaping a try.
The organization also found that younger people and tobacco smokers are more likely to have engaged in vaping or to use ecigarettes regularly.
More than a quarter of those aged 18 to 34 said they had tried vaping, while 14 per cent said puffing on an e-cigarette was routine.
David Hammond, a tobacco control policy expert at the University of Waterloo, said that while many young people have tried e-cigarettes, what should be of most concern is whether they are just experimenting or if they are vaping on a regular basis.
“The simple equation is this: vaping may help some people to quit smoking. If it does that, it will have a public health benefit,” said Hammond, commenting on the survey findings.
“Vaping may make some youth more likely to start (smoking). There’s a strong association, but most of that is probably the type of kids that do risky behaviours. If you’re going to try one, you’re going to try the other.”