Vapers, smokers take a hit as N.L. budget focuses on prevention

If you took up vaping to avoid the taxes on cigarettes, your luck just ran out.

A 20% tax on vaping products was a key feature of the Newfoundland and Labrador budget September 29, which aimed to focus as much as possible on community health and prevention.

Vaping has so far escaped the province's sin tax net, even though research suggests the practice can present significant health risks, especially for teens and young adults.

The province also added an extra 10 cents in taxes per gram of loose tobacco and five cents per cigarette.

The budget also allocated $1.7 million for school initiatives, awareness campaigns and cessation programs to help reduce tobacco use and vaping.