Treat e-cigarettes like traditional tobacco to protect children, doctors urge

E-cigarette purchases byminors should be made illegal, just like tobacco purchases byminors, the Canadian Pediatric Society says.

The pediatric group released a position statement Friday titled "E-cigarettes: Are we renormalizing public smoking?"It says the devices risk opening the door to nicotine dependency, given the "actual amounts are seldom accurately reflected in container labelling."

The group says use of e-cigarettes use among young people is on the rise and U.S. studies suggest nicotine poisonings are also increasing.

E-cigarettes produce substantial amounts of fire particulate matter, toxins and heavy metals at levels that can exceed conventional cigarettes, the statement said.

Children and youth could be particularly vulnerable to particulates, which may cause or worsen asthma and bronchitis.

The group called on the federal government to:

• Expand regulations governing marketing, packaging and labelling of e-cigarettes as has been done with conventional tobacco products.
• Strictly enforce maximum dosage of nicotine in e-liquids and the use of child-resistant containers.
• Ban e-cigarette-related advertising intended to appeal to children and youth.

For provincial and territorial governments:

• Make it illegal for anyone to buy, possess or use e-cigarette products if they are not old enough to buy tobacco products.
• Require e-devices and e-liquids to be sold only in venues where tobacco is sold legally.
• Expand all current restrictions on smoking in public spaces or workplaces to e-cigarettes.

British Columbia said it will introduce legislation in the spring to limit sales of e-cigarettes to those over 19.

Ontario and Nova Scotia have introduced legislation banning e-cigarettes in public places. Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba have said they are considering similar e-cigarette laws.