New Westminster councillor calls for tighter rules on vape shops as concerns grow over youth exposure

Walk down a busy street in Metro Vancouver and vape shops often sit shoulder-to-shoulder with restaurants, cafés and clothing stores. For New Westminster Coun. Daniel Fontaine, the trend has become impossible to ignore.

Push for stronger rules

“It really doesn’t matter what city you go into in Metro Vancouver — vape shops are popping up everywhere,” Fontaine told CBC’s The Early Edition. He is leading a push for more provincial authority to regulate where these shops can operate, especially near schools.

Fontaine noted that municipalities have limited tools, and even if New Westminster enacts bylaws, neighbouring cities like Burnaby could allow vape shops to line the border. “There are abilities for cities to do it, but here’s the problem,” he said. “We don’t do it for vape shops the way we do for liquor or cannabis stores.”

Province points to local powers

The B.C. Ministry of Health says municipalities already hold the authority to regulate or deny business licences. Unlike liquor and cannabis outlets, however, vape stores are governed primarily through a public health lens, not retail zoning.

Fontaine argues that distinction is outdated, given the rapid spread of shops and their impact on youth. “All these shops are taking up prime retail space,” he said, adding that many other businesses could use those storefronts.

Public health backing

Fraser Health has voiced support for more restrictions, warning in a letter to council that the density of vape shops is strongly linked to youth nicotine use. Health Canada also notes that vaping products typically contain addictive nicotine, which can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, while other common ingredients like propylene glycol are still being studied for long-term effects.

Growing concern across B.C.

Fontaine will bring the issue to the Union of B.C. Municipalities next week, saying it has support across the province. “The time has come, given how many vape shops we’ve seen pop up,” he said.

While the province maintains communities already have the tools they need, Fontaine and public health advocates believe stronger provincewide rules are necessary to keep vape shops away from schools and reduce risks to youth.