CVA Warns Against Flavour Restrictions in Canadian E-Cigarettes

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) has warned regulatory agencies that flavor restrictions could have unforeseen consequences, such as increased smoking rates, an increase in black market activity, and small businesses facing closure.

An increasing number of studies have found that "adults who start using non-tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes are more likely to quit smoking than those who use tobacco-flavored ones.

It is clear that nicotine products with flavors have played a role in helping adult smokers quit. I believe legislators should seriously consider this, especially as they begin to consider regulating flavors in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)," said Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a heart disease expert and smoking cessation researcher.

The province of Ontario has restricted vape products with aromatic flavors to adult-only environments. These products cannot be sold in any setting where teenagers may be exposed. Robust regulations have been put in place to protect young people, and further regulation is deemed unnecessary.

The call for increased regulation is often fueled by a lack of understanding of existing laws and regulations. Canada has some of the strictest federal laws in the world, and each province has passed a series of provincial laws aimed at protecting young people and non-smokers, according to Darryl Tempest, government relations advisor for the CVA committee.

Turning to vaping has significantly reduced the exposure of smokers to harmful chemicals. Smoking products must maintain their appeal to adult smokers in order to maximize adoption rates and potential health benefits.

Source: GlobeNewswire