Vaping product safety

Learn how to recognize legal vaping products and about the hazards and safety of vaping devices and their components.

On this page

• Choose legal sources
• How to recognize legal vaping products
• Nicotine poisoning
• Batteries in vaping devices
• Reporting a vaping product safety issue

Choose legal sources

• Vaping products must meet the requirements of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) and their regulations, which set out rules for product safety, promotion, packaging and labelling.
• The use of vaping products and accessories obtained outside of the legal market can pose additional risks to health and safety.
• Do not use vaping products of unknown content or origin, even if it's from someone you know.
• It's not recommended to modify vaping products or add substances to vaping liquids that are not intended by the manufacturer.

How to recognize legal vaping products

• Every legal vaping product with a nicotine concentration of 0.1 mg/mL or more must be enclosed in child-proof packaging.
• Every legal vaping product has a maximum nicotine concentration of 20 mg/mL.
• Labels must display, in English and in French, the list of ingredients, including flavours and if they contain nicotine:
  • a nicotine concentration statement in mg/mL
  • toxicity information, including a hazard symbol and a first aid treatment statement
  • a health warning message on nicotine
• Packaging includes a vaping excise stamp over the seal.

Consult Overview of vaping excise stamps to view one

Nicotine poisoning

Vaping liquid containing nicotine is poisonous. Young children are more susceptible to harm from nicotine.

Even in small amounts, vaping liquid containing nicotine can be very harmful if:

• swallowed
• absorbed through the skin

There have been internationally reported deaths as well as incidents of non-fatal nicotine poisoning caused by children swallowing vaping liquid in Canada.

Containers of vaping liquid with nicotine must have a child-resistant closure and a toxic hazard symbol, along with a toxicity warning of "poison". The closure and toxicity information are required by law. They help protect children in 3 ways by:

• visually indicating to keep the product out of sight and reach of children
• making it harder for children to access the vaping liquid in the container
• visually teaching children the hazard symbol means Danger! Do not touch

Tips to handle vaping liquids safely

• Store out of sight and reach of children and pets.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling vaping liquid or wear gloves.
• Never mix household chemical products or additives into vaping liquid.
• Child-resistant doesn't mean child-proof. Close the container securely after each use.
• Store vaping liquid in a cool, dry place where it can't be confused for food, drinks or medicine.
• If someone has swallowed vaping liquids, seek emergency medical attention or call 9-1-1 or a Poison Control Centre at 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669).

Refer to use household chemicals safely for more information.

Batteries in vaping devices

Another risk to consider is that lithium-ion batteries and vaping devices can pose a hazard if they aren't properly:

• used
• stored
• carried
• charged
• disposed of

Tips to prevent injuries from lithium-ion batteries used with vaping devices

• Don't modify your vaping device.
• Read the manufacturer's instructions for storing and recharging your vaping device.
• Do not exceed the recommended charging time.
• Buy lithium-ion batteries that are recommended by the manufacturer and from a trusted source.
• Keep spare lithium-ion batteries in a protective case.
• Don't use or charge vaping devices near oxygen sources, such as pressurized containers used for oxygen therapy.
• Choose vaping devices certified to a safety standard, such as ANSI/CAN/UL 8139, to reduce the risk of a fire or explosion.
• Don't carry spare lithium-ion batteries in your pocket or anywhere they can come into contact with loose coins, keys or other metal objects. Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, catch fire or even explode when in contact with metal objects. Serious injuries have been reported.

Refer to lithium-ion battery safety and electrical product safety for more information.

Reporting a vaping product safety issue

Vaping devices are regulated under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.

If you notice a safety problem with a vaping device or vaping liquid, you can report the problem:

• to the manufacturer or retailer
• using the consumer product safety online reporting page

For more information on product safety requirements and how to protect yourself, read about vaping product safety and regulation.

For more information

• Youth Vaping Prevention Campaign
• Preventing kids and teens from smoking and vaping
• Vaping prevention and cessation resources (print, digital and video)

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