Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services says officers seized more than $69,000 worth of contraband vaping products in the city last week. The products were seized from “several local businesses,” Ottawa Bylaw said in a post on X. “These vapour products are illegal in Canada due to the high nicotine content and flavoring,” Ottawa Bylaw said. Vapes fall under several laws, such as the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and the provincial Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Retailers are also governed by city bylaws. “Charges issued were issued under the Smoke Free Ontario Act and The City of Ottawa Licensing Bylaw for unlicensed tobacco product retailer and vapour product retailer,” Ottawa Bylaw said. In a response on Monday, Bylaw and Regulatory Services Chief Jake Gravelle said 10 charges, totalling $5,695 in fines, were issued against five businesses on Hawthorne Road, Greenbank Road, York Street, Rideau Street, and St. Laurent Boulevard. Last week, a private member’s bill aimed at reducing youth vaping in Ontario has passed first reading and will return to the legislature this fall.
