Sask. to increase smoking, vaping age to 19 on Feb. 1

Saskatchewan’s age to buy tobacco and vapour products is set to increase from 18 to 19 on Feb. 1.

The legislation to increase the age was passed in October, and the provincial government said the change brings smoking and vaping products in line with age restrictions on alcohol and cannabis purchases.

Health Minister Everett Hindley said it’s important for the government to protect young people from the health risks associated with smoking and vaping.

“These products have no place in Saskatchewan schools and I’m pleased that MLAs on both sides of the house voted unanimously to take the necessary steps to protect students from being exposed to these products,” Hindley said in a statement.

Retailers will be responsible for enforcing the changes, the province noted, and must ask for government-issued ID with the purchaser’s photo, birth date and signature to confirm their age.

“Retailers will have to update their signage to reflect the new minimum age,” the provincial government noted. “The sign must be visible at the cash register where products are purchased.”

When the move was first announced, Mike Smider, owner of Queen City Vapes in Regina, called the move a step in the right direction.

“Raising the age is good,” he said. “If we’re going to keep it out of high schools, then make it illegal for high school (students) to purchase it.”

Smider said he doesn’t think raising the age will have a big impact on his business.

“In my store, the majority of my customer base is late 20s and up,” he said. “I think raising the age is positive and it’ll be a deterrent.”

– With files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing