On April 20th, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Christian Dubé, the Health Minister of Quebec, Canada, announced his plan to submit a regulation in the coming weeks that would ban the sale of flavored electronic cigarette products (except for tobacco flavor). The plan has received widespread negative feedback from representatives of the Canadian electronic cigarette industry.
Prohibition of electronic cigarette products with flavors other than tobacco flavor.
Previously, 2FIRSTS reported that the Quebec government in Canada was considering implementing a ban on flavored electronic cigarettes. At the time, the e-cigarette industry association stated that if the flavor ban was implemented, they would appeal to the court.
On April 19th, the ban on flavored electronic cigarettes was formally announced in the official bulletin of Quebec. This announcement disclosed a revision to the current Tobacco Control Act, seeking to prohibit the sale or distribution of "tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or any other devices, including their components and accessories, that are not tobacco-flavored.
Furthermore, Quebec will prohibit electronic cigarette manufacturers from selling products that do not meet nicotine concentration (20mg/mL) and product shape standards.
During an interview with Canada's national public broadcaster, Health Minister Christian Dubé stated:
Only nicotine (tobacco) flavor will be available, and all other flavors are forbidden.
Christian Dubé | Image Source: CBC NEWS
The legislation will also include restrictions on the sale of products in the shapes of toys, food, animals, or characters, in order to avoid attracting minors.
Focus on minors using cannabis
The Quebec Government has announced that the number of high school students using e-cigarettes has increased more than fivefold from 4% to 21% over the period of 2013 to 2019, in a 30-day period.
According to Quebec law, minors are not allowed to enter specialized electronic cigarette stores. However, if these stores are classified as convenience stores by increasing the sales of candy and other products, children under 18 can enter.
The behavior of these shops has raised concerns from The Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, who believe that transforming stores that only offer electronic cigarette products into shops that specialize in candy as well is a clear business calculation. They also believe that candy-flavored electronic cigarette products are attractive to young people.
Introducing electronic cigarette products with candy flavors to young people could bring greater economic benefits.
This will result in financial losses.
The proposed regulation will have financial implications for businesses that generate income through the sale of e-cigarette products, particularly specialty shops that exclusively sell these products. These businesses can expect a reduction in revenue, which in turn puts their employees at risk of losing their jobs.
However, the statement mentioned that "for enterprises that offer various other products, such as convenience stores and gas stations, the expected impact is minor.
Dubé admits that it is difficult to stop the online sale of electronic cigarette products.
We know that young people may purchase e-cigarettes online." However, he then went on to say:
This is illegal, do not do this.
The e-cigarette industry expresses disappointment.
Representatives from the electronic cigarette industry are largely negative in their assessment of the flavor ban on e-cigarettes planned by the government of Quebec. They believe that prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes will only lead e-cigarette users to purchase their products on the black market.
The spokesperson for the electronic cigarette industry trade association, Daniel Marien, believes that these changes will drive minors towards the black market.
Protecting young people is paramount, but what we are doing here fundamentally fails to protect them.
Daniel Marien, as shown in the image sourced from CBC NEWS.
Marion says she believes that minors would first purchase electronic cigarettes through illegal means.
On the other hand, this could encourage many adults to resume smoking," he said.
Imperial Tobacco Canada has announced that...
We are disappointed with this decision.
Additionally, they believe that flavor restrictions on e-cigarettes are "misleading".
According to reports, Quebec residents will have a 45-day public consultation period to consider. Following legislative procedures, the legislation is expected to be submitted to the Quebec legislature within 90 days.
According to sources, Canada's ban on flavored e-cigarettes is not an isolated incident. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories have all prohibited non-tobacco e-cigarette flavors. British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have restricted flavored e-cigarette liquids to professional e-cigarette stores.
Further Reading:
Quebec, Canada may enforce a ban on flavors; industry associations announced their decision to appeal to the court.
Quebec, Canada raises taxes on tobacco products.
Quebec plans to impose a new tax on the electronic cigarette industry next fall.
Reference:
The Quebec anti-tobacco coalition has alleged that vape stores are selling candies to lure teenagers.
In an effort to reduce the number of minors who vape, Quebec is planning to forbid the sale of flavoured vaping products.
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