Starting February 1, Saskatchewan raises the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 19, aligning it with alcohol and cannabis restrictions. A move that was applauded by advocates for children’s heart and lung health – groups like the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan.
“It is important for us to protect Saskatchewan youth from the dangers of tobacco and vapour products,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said. “These products have no place in Saskatchewan schools and I’m pleased that MLAs on both sides of the house voted unanimously to take the necessary steps to protect students from being exposed to these products.”
Retailers must enforce the change, demanding government-issued ID for age verification, and updated signage reflecting the new minimum age is required at the point of purchase.
The Ministry of Health will be sending out updated till stickers to retailers. Retailers have the option to obtain extra till stickers either from their local public health office or by downloading and color-printing the signage directly from the Signs for Tobacco and Vapor Product Retailers webpage.
The measure was passed in October to promote a consistent approach to age restrictions on these substances.