The MLA for Kamloops South is challenging B.C.’s health minister to do something to tackle vaping as a new study shows the practice is exploding among young people.

Speaking on NL’s Inside #bcpoli Todd Stone says according to a British Medical Journal report vaping use has jumped 74% year over year and even worse tobacco use among young people is also increasing again after years of declines.

Stone, who tabled a private members bill seeking to protect youth from vaping, says Health minister Adrian Dix is waiting for Ottawa to act.

“That to me is a complete and total cop out, it is irresponsible, and it is borderline negligent. So I am calling on Adrian Dix and the NDP to take action whether it is the items I proposed or others get up and do something about this. It is harming the health of our kids and it is potentially resulting in an entire generation of youth becoming nicotine in this province and in this country.”

Stone says there is plenty the province could do on its own.

“The province could act today to ban kid friendly flavouring of vape juice in British Columbia. The province could take action today to restrict the retails sales opportunities for vaping. The province could impose much tougher penalties for non-compliance if vape stores or other retail outlets are caught selling these products to our kids. The province of British Columbia could dramatically increase enforcement.”

He says funding also needs to be made available for prevention programs in schools across B.C.

B.C.’s Health minister Adrian Dix says in a release while he has asked Ottawa to take action B.C. is ready to move ahead with its own initiatives if the federal government is slow to act.