The Canadian Convenience Industry Council (CCIC) publicly expressed on Monday its request to the Quebec government to introduce the requirement of a grocery category alcohol permit for all sales of vaping products.
In doing so, the CCID hopes to combat certain vaping companies which are currently circumventing the regulations regarding the sale of flavours.
Since October 31, the law has banned the sale of vaping flavours in Quebec. “Vaping shops – there are about 400 in Quebec – have circumvented the regulations by disguising themselves as convenience stores to be able to sell flavours in the form of food flavourings,” says Michel Gadbois, vice-president of the CCID.
According to him, at least 80% of vape shops do not comply with the regulations, compared to less than 5% of conventional convenience stores. Mr. Gadbois estimates that because of these circumventions, “we have lost, depending on the location, between 20% and 50% of the vaping product market.” By making possession of an alcohol permit mandatory, the CCID hopes to force delinquent businesses to change their business model and comply with the law.
To obtain a grocery store liquor permit, at least 51% of the products on display must be food, for a minimum value of $5,500. The store must also undergo an initial investigation followed by inspections by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ).
The idea of going through an alcohol permit would allow for rapid implementation without additional costs for the government through a simple regulatory modification, maintains the CCID.
Put on the pressure
Mr. Gadbois claims to have made this proposal for a regulation to the government six months ago, without change. Faced with this inaction, “we told them: we are going to come out publicly and we are going to put pressure on you, because you don’t seem to be in a hurry to act,” he explains.
According to CCID investigations, the government is aware of the offenders, but prefers inaction. “There is no prosecution, there is no follow-up and therefore there is no penalty,” says Mr. Gadbois.
The Health Ministry did not immediately respond to questions from The Canadian Press.
“As a Ministry of Health, they should be much more serious about this, knowing that it is obvious that this type of illegal product is aimed at young people,” said Mr. Gadbois.
The CCID had positioned itself in favour of flavoured e-cigarettes when they were banned. The group had asked the government to keep at least two flavours, menthol and a fruit flavour, on the market. Mr. Gadbois nevertheless maintains that it is “obvious that we should not have things like pineapple, cotton candy and bubble gum”, because they are intended to attract young people.