Quebec Police Target Vape Sellers in Raids

The Quebec police agency has launched a crackdown on unlicensed e-cigarette vendors, conducting raids on at least three retail locations in Montreal and Quebec City on June 16, 2026, according to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). The operation follows a 2025 law tightening regulations on vape product sales, distribution, and advertising, with authorities seizing inventory and shutting down stores found in violation of provincial licensing requirements.

The SQ confirmed the raids targeted vendors operating without proper permits under Quebec’s Loi sur le tabac et la vapotage, which mandates age verification, product testing, and compliance with health warnings. "Our focus is on protecting public health, especially young people, by ensuring only legal, tested vape products reach the market," said SQ spokesperson Marie-Claude Gagnon in a statement. The agency did not disclose the number of arrests or the total value of seized products.

This marks the first major enforcement action under the updated law, which came into full effect on January 1, 2026. Health Canada data shows Quebec’s vape-related hospitalizations among teens rose 42% between 2023 and 2025, prompting stricter oversight. The SQ’s operation follows similar raids in Ontario last year, where 15 stores were shut down for selling unapproved nicotine products.

Why is Quebec targeting vape shops now?
The crackdown aligns with a broader push by Canadian provinces to curb youth vaping. Quebec’s law bans flavored liquids, limits marketing, and requires vendors to verify customers’ ages digitally. The SQ’s action comes as Health Canada prepares to finalize rules on vape packaging and online sales by mid-2027.

What happens next for seized stores?
Owners face fines up to CAD 500,000 and potential criminal charges for repeat offenses, according to Quebec’s public health ministry. The SQ will review seized inventory for unapproved nicotine levels or unauthorized additives. Legal experts note that some vendors may appeal, citing loopholes in the law’s enforcement phase.

How does this compare to other provinces?
British Columbia and Alberta have also increased inspections, but Quebec’s penalties are among the strictest. A 2025 report by the Canadian Vaping Association found that 68% of unlicensed vendors in Quebec operated without age-verification systems, compared to 45% nationally.

What’s the impact on the vape market?
Licensed retailers report a 12% drop in foot traffic since the law’s enforcement began, per industry surveys. Meanwhile, black-market sales have surged in Montreal’s Plateau district, where undercover SQ officers documented vendors selling to minors. Public health officials warn that unregulated products pose greater risks of lung damage and addiction.

The SQ has not ruled out further raids. "This is just the beginning," Gagnon stated. "We’ll continue monitoring compliance across the province."