Depanneurs demand vaping products require liquor license in Quebec

The Canadian Convenience Industry Council (CCIC) wants the Quebec government to require grocery category alcohol permits to sell vaping products.

In doing so, the CCID hopes to fight certain vaping companies who are currently bypassing the flavour sale regulations.

Quebec banned selling vape flavours on Oct. 31.

“There are about 400 vape shops in Quebec, who have circumvented the regulations by disguising themselves as convenience stores to be able to sell flavours in the form of food flavourings,” said Michel Gadbois, vice-president of the CCID.

According to him, at least 80 per cent of vape shops do not comply with the regulations, compared to less than 5 per cent of conventional convenience stores.

Gadbois estimates that because of these circumventions, “we have lost, depending on the location, between 20 per cent and 50 per cent of the vaping product market.”

By making a liquor permit mandatory, the CCID hopes to force delinquent businesses to change their business model and comply with the law.

To obtain a grocery store liquor permit, at least 51 per cent of the products on display must be food, for a minimum value of $5,500. The store must also undergo an initial investigation followed by inspections by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ).

The idea of an alcohol permit would allow for rapid implementation without additional costs for the government through a simple regulatory modification, maintains the CCID.

Put on the pressure

Gadbois said he made this proposal to the government six months ago, without change.

“We told them: we are going to come out publicly and we are going to put pressure on you, because you don’t seem to be in a hurry to act,” he explained.

According to CCID investigations, the government is aware of the offenders, but prefers not to act.

“There is no prosecution, there is no follow-up and therefore there is no penalty,” said Gadbois.

The Health Ministry did not immediately respond to questions from The Canadian Press.

“The Health Ministry should take this situation serious, knowing that that this type of illegal product is obviously aimed at young people,” said Gadbois.

The CCID were in favour of flavoured e-cigarettes when they were banned. The group had asked the government to keep at least two flavours, menthol, and a fruit flavour, on the market.

Gadbois nevertheless maintains that it’s “obvious that we should not have things like pineapple, cotton candy and bubble gum,” because they are intended to attract young people.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews