One Year After the Ban: Illegal Flavor Sales Soar in Quebec with 600+ Online Vaping Sites
According to Financial Post, convenience store associations in Quebec, Canada, are calling on Health Minister Christian Dubé to reconsider the ban on selling flavored e-cigarettes in retail stores. Introduced a year ago, the ban aimed to reduce youth access to vaping products. However, it appears to have had the opposite effect, fueling a surge in illegal online sales channels that offer these restricted products.
Issues Arising from the Flavored Vape Ban
The Canadian Convenience Stores Association (CICC) has highlighted a range of problems stemming from the ban, including health risks, financial losses, and legal challenges. While over 5,000 law-abiding convenience stores in Quebec have seen their sales halved due to the ban, illegal vendors have capitalized by selling flavored products online or through illicit in-store flavor additives.
Michel Gadbois, Vice President of the CICC, stated, “This regulation has not protected the public; it has worsened the situation. The ban has encouraged the illegal vape market, making it more appealing to young people and punishing honest convenience store owners. Clearly, this policy is a complete failure, and Minister Christian Dubé bears responsibility.”
Over 600 Websites Now Selling Flavored Vapes Illegally
A new directory released by the CICC reveals that Quebec’s flavored vape ban has inadvertently fueled a thriving online market across Canada. The directory lists over 600 websites that continue to sell flavored vaping products to Quebec customers, many of which are hosted on e-commerce platforms like Shopify. These sites offer a wide range of fruit and specialty flavors in sleek, disposable vape designs that are particularly popular with younger demographics.
According to Storeleads.com, the five most-visited vaping websites in Canada are fatpanda.ca, vapeloft.com, uvapeshop.com, canvape.com, and vapevapevape.ca. Combined, these top sites generate nearly CAD $30 million in annual sales, leveraging discounts, bulk purchase deals, first-order incentives, and free shipping for purchases over a certain amount. Age verification on these platforms remains minimal, allowing easy access for minors.
Moreover, these online platforms bypass Quebec’s provincial tax laws, instead applying only federal and provincial taxes based on their locations outside Quebec, which further disadvantages legal retailers in the region.
Convenience Stores Call for Fair Market Regulation
Convenience store owners in Quebec are urging the government to address the challenges posed by the illegal online vape market. They are requesting that regulations for vape shops align more closely with those governing alcohol sales, in order to restore fair competition within the industry. Gadbois stressed the need for action, stating, “All legitimate retailers comply with regulations, and it is crucial to take action against illegal sellers. As always, we stand ready to work with the government to address this issue that penalizes lawful local businesses.”
Access the Full List of 600 Vaping Sites
To view the full list of over 600 online vaping sites that offer flavored products in Canada, please contact aovape@gmail.com to obtain the Top E-Comm Vaping Sites in Canada – 2024 list.
