Proposed e-cigarette law opposed by Fredericton business

A Fredericton business owneris taking to the internet to try and fight proposed legislation that would treat e-cigarettes as regular cigarettes.

EvanHovey, the manager of New Beginnings Vape Studio in Fredericton, said he's had many of his customers complain about the bill that was introduced last week by Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

In response to those complaints, he has started an online petition.

The petition's goal is to stop the amendments to the Smoke Free Places Act that target e-cigarettes.

"It's completely a different realm. It's not burning any herb. It's not burning any plant. There's no ash off it. It's a completely different scenario," said Hovey.

The proposed law would place a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and their liquids to people under 19 as of July 1.

Boudreau told the legislature last week that the bill was intended to make smoking less attractive to New Brunswick, particularly youth. He said he hopes the legislation will prevent chronic diseases that are associated with smoking.

The provincial government's legislation was embraced by groups, such as the New Brunswick Lung Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

New Brunswick isn't the only province that is toughening up laws regarding the sale and use of e-cigarettes. Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec have also recently ushered in similar laws.

People wouldn't be allowed to use their e-cigarettes in places where regular cigarettes are banned.

Hovey said he hopes he can get a sit down with either Premier Brian Gallant or Boudreau to discuss his opposition to the legislation.

More study needed, business says

He said he understands the restrictions on regular cigarettes, but he said he thinks it's unfair for the provincial government to give e-cigarettes the same restrictions without sufficient research.

"If they're going to regulate things, they should at least regulate them with a little more knowledge about what the product actually is," said Hovey.

Customers in the Fredericton story said they agree with Hovey.

Anthony Hoyt, who has smoked for 40 years, said he wasn't able to quit until he started using e-cigarettes. He said he hasn't touched a cigarette since he turned to e-cigarettes.

"They don't have enough information on them yet to do that," said Hoyt.

"I think they're jumping the gun on it."

Hovey's online petition was postedon Tuesdayand has more than 250 signatures.The petition includes a place for people to leave comments.

The business owner said the most common comment is that this legislation will cause people to go back to using cigarettes, as the same restrictions apply to both.