Canada’s B.C. Passes First Vaping Cost-Recovery Framework, Allowing Government to Sue Manufacturers Over Health Expenses

Dec.03

According to the Nelson Star, British Columbia has passed the Vaping Product Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act by a 49–42 vote. The legislation enables the provincial government to seek recovery of future public health costs from vape manufacturers, following models used in opioid and tobacco litigation.

Key Points

B.C. approved the vaping-related cost recovery act by a 49–42 vote.
The law allows lawsuits seeking public health cost recovery from vape manufacturers.
It follows legal models used in opioid and tobacco actions.
The act enables future legal steps but does not initiate lawsuits itself.
Similar legislation targeting PFAS manufacturers is planned for next spring.

2Firsts, December 3, 2025 — According to Nelson Star, the British Columbia legislature passed the Vaping Product Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act on Dec. 2 with a 49 to 42 vote. The act allows the provincial government to pursue recovery of public health costs from vape manufacturers, using a framework similar to previous actions taken against opioid and tobacco companies.

Attorney General Niki Sharma noted when introducing the bill in October that the legislation is modeled on earlier laws, giving the province tools to launch or join class-action lawsuits. The act does not initiate action against companies directly but creates a basis for future legal proceedings.

This is the first legislation of its kind targeting vaping products. The government also plans similar legislation next spring focused on manufacturers of PFAS chemicals.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma on Oct. 9, 2025. (Photo courtesy B.C. government)

References:

[1] B.C. passes bill to allow it to sue vape companies for public health impacts Read more at: https://nelsonstar.com/2025/12/02/b-c-passes-bill-to-allow-it-sue-vape-companies-for-public-health-impacts/

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