Ontario to restrict use of e-cigarettes: Report

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 23, 2014

Hamilton TV station CHCH is reporting the Ontario government will move to restrict the use of electronic cigarettes, including banning their sale to minors.

Associate Health Minister Dipika Damerla is to make the announcement at a news conference Monday morning.
The station reports the use of e-cigarettes will be banned wherever smoking is already prohibited.

Cigarette smoking is currently banned in enclosed public places and all enclosed workplaces - restrictions that will be expanded Jan. 1 to include all restaurant and bar patios as well as at playgrounds and publicly owned sports fields.

E-cigarettes don't contain tobacco and produce vapour instead of smoke, which proponents say helps smokers kick their habit.

Some public health advocates say they're concerned that it's also "normalizing" cigarette smoking for minors, giving a dangerous habit that's widely restricted a whole new image.

In August, Premier Kathleen Wynne said her government would look into the issue but that she wouldn't rush into a decision on whether to ban electronic cigarettes in areas where smoking is already off-limits.