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In just a few months, all vaping liquids, devices and products will be subject to a 20 per cent retail tax.
The new tax will replace the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) but will be on top of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) already applied to the items.
The new hike was introduced in Tuesday’s provincial budget, and is aimed at discouraging youth and young adults from picking up the habit of vaping.
Mike Smider, who owns Queen City Vaping in Regina, says the new tax was something he expected but not something he necessarily agrees with.
He said it’s not fair given that other combustible tobacco like cigars and cigarettes weren’t included. And it could potentially affect his business.
“There would probably be some customers that would probably find it to be too expensive,” he said. “There would be some form of impact on those that have lower income and such that possibly would return back to smoking, and that is unfortunate.
“But in the case of vapour products, if it’s going to assist in keeping these products out of the hands of youth, I’m all for it.”
He said he also already has had a few people come into his store who will likely stock up on their products prior to the new tax taking effect Sept. 1.
The Lung Association of Saskatchewan’s Jennifer May says she’s elated about the introduction of the new tax — something the association has been advocating for for a long time.
“We know it’s really an important measure to help prevent youth and young adults from starting, but it also helps support those already using these products to quit,” May said.
Most of those who vape in Saskatchewan are under the age of 25, said May. The claim that vaping is a measure of harm reduction is also not yet supported by Health Canada.
“They have not approved it as such. We cannot make that claim, nor can a vape company make that claim, that it helps people to quit smoking,” she added. “At the end of the day, vape products and cigarette products lead to a nicotine addiction.”
She says what many people don’t realize is that some starter packs can be as low as $10.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an amended version of the story, correcting how the tax is to be applied.