The price of electronic smoking products in Ontario is set to rise, as the province plans to add a tax as a means to limit the spread of electronic smoking, especially among youth.

The fall economic statement issued by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy this week includes an announcement that Ontario will add a regional production fee on electronic cigarette products, which will double the current federal fee rates.

The combined tax will require manufacturers and importers to pay $2 per 2 milliliters of vaping liquids for the first 10 milliliters, then $2 per 10 milliliters for quantities exceeding that.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation stated that electronic cigarette smoking rates among the youngest teenagers are increasing, and emerging evidence suggests that electronic cigarette smoking can harm the respiratory system, mental health, and blood pressure.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Tobacco Industry Council said that any new tax on products sold in small stores threatens business continuity.