What is the current situation regarding youth vaping in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia is experiencing a youth vaping epidemic, with nearly half of high school students having tried vaping, and the province having the highest rate of youth vaping in Canada.

How can tobacco lawsuit settlement money be used to address youth vaping?

The Canadian Cancer Society suggests using tobacco lawsuit settlement funds to enhance and expand cessation supports, enforcement, and early interventions for young people.

What are the health concerns associated with youth vaping in Nova Scotia?

Vaping has a clear negative impact on physical and mental health, and youth are particularly vulnerable to nicotine's harmful effects on healthy brain development.

Home / Health / Vaping Epidemic Grips Nova Scotia Schools

Vaping Epidemic Grips Nova Scotia Schools

27 Jan

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Summary

Nearly half of Nova Scotia high schoolers have tried vaping.
Nova Scotia has Canada's highest rate of youth vaping.
Lawsuit funds proposed for vaping cessation and prevention.

A significant rise in nicotine addiction among younger Nova Scotians is being driven by vaping, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. The organization reports that almost half of high school students in the province have experimented with vaping, and Nova Scotia currently leads Canada in youth vaping prevalence.

Heather Mulligan, a senior manager with the Canadian Cancer Society, described the situation as an epidemic in schools, where young people are becoming addicted to products they cannot legally buy. She proposed allocating the province's $809 million in tobacco lawsuit settlement funds toward expanding cessation support, strengthening enforcement, and implementing earlier interventions.

Mulligan suggested increasing the purchasing age to 21, similar to Prince Edward Island and parts of the United States, and enhancing educational programs in schools. This would allow educators to focus on teaching rather than managing student nicotine addiction.