According to reports from newswire on March 7, two separate investigative reports published in The Sun and The Montreal Daily indicate that the ban on selling flavored e-cigarette products in Quebec has failed, sparking public outcry.
Éric Gagnon, Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial Tobacco Canada, stated:
What concerns us the most is the inconsistency in the enforcement of this regulation. While we found that 91% of e-cigarette stores were offering flavorings or other additives, only one was found guilty and fined. Additionally, online sales are rampant, allowing anyone, including young people, to order flavored e-cigarettes and have them delivered right to their door.
The lack of enforcement of the flavor ban on e-cigarettes is just another example of the Quebec government failing to assess the effectiveness and scope of regulations, both crucial factors in ensuring that e-cigarette products do not fall into the hands of minors. Ignoring the importance of flavors for adult smokers looking to quit has caused the e-cigarette market to once again become underground, much like before legalization in 2018.
The company had previously warned the Quebec government that its flawed decision to ban tobacco flavors would not achieve the desired goals. Now, it is time for the government and Minister Dubé to address the confusion caused by their policy set to meet the demands of some anti-smoking lobbying groups.
Recently, Imperial Tobacco Canada has met with the Quebec government and provided them with detailed information on several issues. In addition, they have put forward a series of six short-term and long-term recommendations that will strengthen laws and ultimately prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors.
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