Imperial Tobacco Canada Warns Health Canada on E-cigarette Additives

According to a report by The Malaysian Reserve on June 14th, Imperial Tobacco Canada (ITCAN) has once again warned Health Canada that permitted additives in e-cigarette products contain dangerous ingredients. Detailed information about these ingredients is included in the revised Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Flavors) Schedules 2 and 3.

The company's Vice President, Eric Gagnon, stated that...

We have submitted a proposal to the Canadian Health Department and have explicitly expressed our concerns about the approved list of additives at the meeting. However, we are worried that our warnings have not been taken seriously. To be blunt, the list contains at least one known substance that may be carcinogenic.

The company emphasized that the list of permitted additives in Health Canada's flavor ban proposal includes some substances that the company and its parent company, British American Tobacco (BAT), do not use at all. They stated that the Canadian government's list of permitted tobacco additives includes ingredients that have been proven and classified as CMR substances, which is essentially encouraging small producers with limited scientific literacy to use inherently unsafe substances in products designed for inhalation into the lungs.

Ganion pointed out that,

One example is isovalerone. This substance has been classified as a carcinogen by the EU and has acute toxicity. It is also banned in Canada's food and drug regulations for use in human cosmetics. However, if the proposed regulations are passed, it could be used in e-cigarette products. This list could potentially turn e-cigarette products with comparatively low health risks into products that are very harmful to consumers.

ITCAN suggests conducting further research on the ingredients list of the proposed recommendations.

We encourage the Canadian Department of Health to reconsider its list and consult with experts to determine the best approach for progress. We are evolving and our primary focus is on reducing the impact of our business on health by introducing alternative products with minimal health implications. The Canadian Department of Health should also do the same, as these regulations have not improved the health status of the Canadian public.