Nunavut bans smoking in public housing, targets flavoured vaping products

Nunavut MLAshave passed a law that makes it illegal to smoke in subsidized housing,as well as staff housing provided by the Nunavut government.

Health Minister Lorne Kusugakproposed Bill 57, an update to the Tobacco and Smoking Act, which passed on May 28.It aims to cut down on smoking in the territory.

The amendments banpublic housing tenants and workers in government housingfrom smoking in their homes.The Nunavut government houses1,620 employees, of which 446 are Inuit and 1,193 are non-Inuit.

The new law also bans smoking in cars with young people, and prohibits the saleof flavoured vaping products.

Must be 19 to buy flavoured vaping products

Nineteen is now the minimum age to buy flavouredvaping products. The ammended law alsosets a maximum for the concentration of nicotine in such products.

According to Nunavut's 2018-19 Tobacco Control Act annual report,51 per cent of Nunavummiut 12 to 19 years old smoke six timesthe national rate.

The report also states that 62 per cent of Nunavummiut ages 12 and up smoke, as compared to other provinces where 16 per cent of people 12 and up smoke.

Kusugak said in legislature at the end of May that vaping is catching on in the territory, which is why it needs to be addressed right away.

"People are being able to access it through the internet and other means. It is starting to catch on and it is gaining traction and we would really like to put a stop to that," he said.

Kusugak spoke of assigning up to half a dozen officers to enforce the law in the territory, along with providing training for bylaw officers so they can clamp down on infractions.

He also said there needs to be an education process so vendors of tobacco products know the rules, and thepenalties if they don't follow them.