- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

The other day we posted a photo of the sign for a new specialty vape  store on a historical building in Owen Sound. People's first reaction was “Oh no! Do we need another vape shop?”

This article is to help people understand what is what in this relatively new 21^st century business.

Like smoking, vaping can mean using a nicotine-based product, or cannabis.

A specialty vape store sells nicotine-based vapour products - some single use, some refillable, liquids or pods, They are registered to do so by Public Health under the authority of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017), the same legislation that covers selling cigarettes in convenience stores, but with different regulations. There are two such locally-owned stores in Owen Sound and  recently a group from out of town rented and put signage on two new locations.

We currently have five licensed cannabis stores in Owen Sound selling dried, pre-rolls, oils, seeds, edibles and beverages,  and another application is in process with Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The City also has a retail cannabis policy.

Other stores with “vape” on their signs sell bongs, pipes, slides, bowls, rolling papers and other supplies. (If you don't know what all those things are, chances are you are not their target market.) These stores are not licensed to sell cannabis, hash or nicotine-based substances.

In our capitalist economic system, whether or not we “need” these stores is a matter for the market to decide. To the degree that people want these products, legally offered for sale to adults, and how the stores provide good customer service and information, they will succeed or fail in our community like any other business.

As you use or observe these stores, please assure yourself that they are following the rules that keep customers safe and informed and the playing field level for the business community. 

• You should see these signs.

• Minors are not allowed inside specialty vape or cannabis stores.

• A retailer must request identification and be satisfied that the person is at least 19 years old. Acceptable identification must include a photograph of the person, the person’s date of birth, and reasonably appear to have been issued by a government or the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

• All retailers must post their licence in a highly visible location in the store and ‘No Smoking’ and ‘No Vaping’ signs or a dual ‘No Smoking and No Vaping’ sign at all entrances, exits, and washrooms.

• Only one sign with the store's name is allowed on the exterior of a specialty vape store, and the products inside the store must not be visible from the exterior. No advertising or promotional material can be displayed outside the store.

Vaping products manufactured or imported for sale in Canada can contain no more than nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL by law.

Many long-time smokers use vaping in place of smoking, or as a way to cut down or quit their nicotine use.

Last June, our co-op student Madeline Matcheski researched and wrote an aricle for the Hub about youth and vaping. For more information about vaping, or to report concerns about retailers, contact Public Health.