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David Shepherd, the NDP health critic, said he supports the tax because anything that reduces youth vaping is a good idea.

“We recognize that it’s a health-care challenge, it’s one of the few areas where maybe this government is making a progressive move on preventative and primary care,” he said.

Shepherd hopes tax revenue will be invested back into primary care and prevention.

Health Minister Tyler Shandro did not make himself available for an interview Thursday.

The tax legislation is expected to be introduced this spring, along with the results of a provincial review on tobacco and similar products.

The vaping levy will likely be in place by the fall and is projected to bring in $4 million in revenue in 2020-2021 and $8 million the next year.

Franco Terrazzano, Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said any increases in taxes must be met with reductions elsewhere.

“Premier Jason Kenney promised taxpayers that he wouldn’t increase taxes, and we’re seeing taxes go up,” he said. “We saw it go up in 2019 with the income tax hike, and we’re seeing it this year with these new taxes.”

Smoking cessation products, tobacco, hookah or shisha, and non-vaping cannabis products will not be subject to the tax.

In November, British Columbia introduced a 20 per cent tax on vaping.

lboothby@postmedia.com

@laurby