New Brunswick

New Brunswick Court of Appeal maintains ban on sale of flavoured e-cigarettes

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court decision not to suspend the province's ban on the sale of flavoured e-cigarettes.

Court issues one-line decision on request that ban be suspended until constitutional challenge is heard

The appeal court upheld the amended Tobacco and Electronic Cigarette Sales Act, which bans the sale of vaping products that are flavoured to taste like anything other than tobacco. (Robert F. Bukaty/The Associated Press)

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court decision not to suspend the province's ban on the sale
of flavoured e-cigarettes.

Last September, the province banned all e-cigarette flavours except for tobacco, but a vape store and five individuals wanted sales to resume pending a full court challenge of the legislation.

They argued that vape stores were suffering financially because of the law, and that without flavoured e-cigarette options, people trying to quit smoking would go back to smoking tobacco, which poses a greater health risk.

The ruling from the Court of Queen's Bench in March said the government's intent with the legislation was to protect the health of residents, particularly young people.

In his one-line decision Thursday, Court of Appeal Justice Brad Green said the motion for leave to appeal is dismissed.

No date has been set for the full constitutional challenge.