Canada P.E.I. Increases Fines for Vape and Tobacco Shops Violating Rules

P.E.I. vape tobacco shops fines

Prince Edward Island has recently implemented changes to its Tobacco and Electronic Smoking Device Sales and Access Act, which came into effect on February 1, 2025. The amendments, passed during the fall sitting of the legislature, aim to crack down on youth vaping by imposing stricter penalties on businesses that violate the province’s rules.

Under the new regulations, shops that sell tobacco and electronic smoking devices, including vaporizers, can now face fines of up to $25,000 for repeated violations of the act. This marks a significant increase from the previous maximum fine, which was considerably lower. Additionally, provincial court judges have been granted the authority to issue orders prohibiting non-compliant businesses from selling these products for up to 90 days as a form of punishment.

The Chief Public Health Office stated in an email to CBC News that the increased fines serve as a deterrent to retailers who continuously fail to comply with the regulations, despite the high overall compliance rate among most retailers.

The impact of these changes was evident in a recent case involving Vape Head, a Charlottetown-based shop. On Thursday, Matthew Middleton, representing the business, appeared in provincial court to address charges of selling flavored tobacco products and selling to an underage person. However, Vape Head narrowly avoided the new, harsher penalties, as the offenses occurred on January 18, just two weeks before the amended act came into force.

Had the charges been laid after February 1, Vape Head could have faced a penalty of $25,000, as this was their fourth violation. Instead, the business pleaded guilty to the underage sale charge and one of the flavored sale charges, receiving a fine of $1,000 for each. The Crown stayed the second charge related to the sale of flavored tobacco. In November, Vape Head had also pleaded guilty to a flavored sale charge and was fined $1,000.

Judge Lantz issued a stern warning to Middleton, emphasizing that the penalty for future violations could reach $25,000. In response, Middleton assured the court that Vape Head would not find itself in this position again. The business has been given until April 30 to pay a total of $2,100 in fines.

The increased penalties demonstrate P.E.I.’s commitment to combating youth vaping and ensuring that businesses adhere to the province’s regulations. By imposing substantial fines and the potential for temporary sales bans, the government aims to send a clear message that non-compliance will not be tolerated, ultimately protecting the health and well-being of the province’s youth.

Matthew Ma
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