Tobacco

When the Cannabis Act was passed in 2018, the stigma around pot use started to subside and opened up new doors for convenience stores to stock accessories for their customers and grab a slice of a robust market—once the domain of smoke, aka head, shops.  It’s a natural fit for convenience stores, according to Patrick Vandermeulen, retail advisor, Canadian Lumber, a Nova Scotia-based company selling rolling papers made without allergens, bleach and other chemicals.“This is a great opportunity for c-stores.

Ottawa’s new rules restricting the promotion of vaping products are set to take effect this Friday (Aug.

As a category, vaping is in flux, with new rules and regulations rolling out across the country in 2020.

C-stores not in compliance run the risk of being chargedIt's fair to say the messaging around Ontario's new vaping regulations is confusing for operators and other industry stakeholders.

New rules restricting the sale of most flavoured vape products have come into effect in Ontario.The rules mean most of the products can now only be sold at specialty vape and cannabis retail stores, which serve customers 19 and older.Products with menthol, mint and tobacco flavours are exempt from the new regulations, which came into effect July 1.READ: Ontario agrees to delay enforcement of new vaping rules The regulations also mean vapour products with nicotine levels higher than 20 milligrams will be limited to specialty stores.Those shops will also no longer be allowed to have indoor displays that are visible from outside.Health Minister Christine Elliott unveiled the long-anticipated package of measures in February after expressing concern for months about youth vaping.The measures banned the promotion of vaping products in convenience stores and gas stations earlier this year.

The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is conducting a survey to gather information to share with the Ontario Government in an effort to find solutions to illegal cigarettes, while understanding the importance of the tobacco business for convenience stores.

The Ontario government is responding to industry calls for clarity regarding enforcement of new vaping regulations and has agreed to delay enforcement of the new rules until December 31, 2020.On June 15, the province indicated it was moving ahead with the July 1 deadline for new amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which brings with it more restrictive rules for c-store operators when it comes to the sale of vaping products.

Despite ongoing requests for an extension, Ontario is moving ahead with the July 1 deadline for new amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which brings with it more restrictive rules for c-store operators when it comes to the sale of vaping products.These changes, part of the Government of Ontario’s efforts to curb youth vaping, were announced in January and were initially to come into play May 1.