Canadian Vaping Association Warns Flavor Ban Harms Public Health

Canadian Vaping Association warns flavor ban harms

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) expresses grave concern over the demands made by three of Canada’s Tobacco Control lobbyists during an October 4th press conference. These lobbyists pressured the government for a nationwide flavor ban on vaping products and called for the resignation of Minister Saks. The CVA strongly opposes these demands, warning that such a ban would have devastating public health consequences and undermine Canada’s goal of reducing smoking rates to “less than 5% by 2035” as outlined in Canada’s Tobacco Strategy.

Minister Saks and Health Canada remain committed to addressing the root causes of youth vaping, which include stress, anxiety, depression, and peer pressure, as highlighted by the Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey 2022 and the WDG Public Health website and video. The CVA emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the 1.5 million adult vapers in Canada who rely on flavored vaping products to quit smoking. While agreeing that underage youth should not vape, the CVA calls for more education and tools to help parents, teachers, coaches, and community members understand and address the underlying issues that lead youth to vape.

Prohibition Is Not the Answer

Vaping is already a highly regulated industry in Canada, with strict legislation in place to limit youth access. The CVA argues that enforcing existing regulations, imposing substantial fines, suspending licenses for non-compliant businesses, and cracking down on the illicit trade are the most effective strategies to curb youth access. This approach has proven successful in other regulated industries, such as cannabis and alcohol.

The CVA urges Tobacco Control lobbyists to focus on enforcing regulations against illegal sales and marketing through social media platforms, where age verification and compliance are often bypassed. Canada already has some of the most rigorous vape regulations globally, covering labeling, packaging, marketing, promotions, reporting, and nicotine concentration limits.

Canada Must Lead on Harm Reduction

Despite extensive research supporting vaping as a proven harm-reduction tool for smokers, Tobacco Control lobbyists continue to undermine its effectiveness. The CVA cites a clinical research study by McGill University, published in the American Journal of Medicine, which found vaping to be more efficacious than conventional nicotine replacement or behavioral smoking cessation therapies. The CVA suggests that these lobbyists can be more accurately described as “Anti-Harm Reduction lobbyists” and advises the government to avoid relying on groups that undermine Canada’s public health policies.

Industry Consultation is Key to Effective Policy

The CVA warns that the bullying tactics employed by anti-harm reduction lobbyists pressuring Minister Saks and Health Canada to act quickly will only help grow the black market of vaping products, making them more accessible to youth at lower prices and greater health risks. The CVA calls upon the Prime Minister to exclude these Tobacco Control lobbyists from advising any level of government and urges all provinces and territories to consult only with Health Canada for policy recommendations that impact the lives of everyday Canadians.

The CVA remains committed to working with the government to promote sensible, balanced regulations that protect public health, support adult smokers in their quitting journeys, and ensure fair consumer access to regulated products.

News source: The Canadian Vaping Association Responds to Tobacco Control Lobbyists: Banning Flavours in Vaping Products will Harm Public Health and Put Youth at More Risk

Matthew Ma
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