OTTAWA,
ON, Oct. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - With the clock
running out on this parliament, Canada's major tobacco control agencies today
condemned the continued delay of a national ban on flavours in
vaping products. They called on Addictions Minister Ya'ara
Saks to immediately finalize this important regulation or to
step down so that someone else can complete this important
task.
Provinces are struggling under the lack of federal
leadership
"For the past 14 months we have waited in vain for this
Minister to take action to address the youth vaping crisis,"
said Cynthia Callard, Executive
Director of Physicians for a Some-Free Canada. "But instead
of reigning in the vaping industry, she has met with them. Instead
of acting to protect youth, she has kept silent while tobacco and
nicotine companies continue to lure youth with increasingly
affordable, flavourful and playful devices."
Draft regulations to remove sweeteners and most flavourings from
vaping products were first published in the Canada Gazette in
June 2021, but three years later have
still not been finalized. Other regulatory plans by the department
to regulate designs and packaging, to strengthen age-gating and to
allow public access to data on the tobacco and vaping industry have
been shelved.
Early in 2024, the department signaled flavour restrictions
would be completed before summer. Ultimately, however, the Minister
failed to finalize them. In late May, she met with vaping industry
representatives to hear their concerns about the risk of an illicit
market. Following this meeting, departmental officials cited the
illicit market as the reason for the delay.
"The enforcement challenges that provinces like Quebec are facing with flavour restrictions
are largely the result of the lack of federal controls which the
industry is exploiting," explained Flory Doucas, Co-Director
and Spokesperson of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control.
"With no federal ban on online and interprovincial sales,
suppliers are able to ship to the 6 Canadian jurisdictions where
these products are banned," for example.
"The federal regulatory void is a key driver of the
uncompliant products on the market that are eroding the benefits of
the flavour restrictions in Quebec
and other provinces. It is both ironic and offensive that this
industry can use its own defiance of provincial regulations as an
argument to block federal action. It's even worse that the Minister
seems to be buying this argument," added Ms. Doucas.
Industry interference
"If Addiction Minister Saks needs inspiration to better
control this industry, she can look to her colleague, the Minister
of Health," said Les Hagen,
Executive Director of ASH Canada. "Minister Holland stood up to the industry despite its
malicious campaign against him. He moved quickly and decisively to
curtail the irresponsible and harmful marketing of nicotine
pouches. When it comes to taking action to protect Canadian youth,
there is a stark contrast between these two Ministers."
Nicotine pouches are regulated under the Food and Drugs
Act, which comes under the authority of the Health
Minister. Vaping Products are regulated under the Tobacco
and Vaping Products Act which comes under the authority of the
Minister of Addictions.
"Another important measure which has been further delayed
during Minister Saks' term as minister is the establishment of
guidelines to prevent tobacco industry interference with health
policy, as required under the global tobacco control treaty to
which Canada is a party. Without
these guardrails, industry interference will continue," added
Mr. Hagen.
More young Canadians hooked on nicotine
"Continuing to allow sweeteners and flavourings is
symptomatic of this government's misguided approach to the vaping
market," said Ms Callard. "Their preference for
'light touch' regulations has allowed tobacco and vaping companies
to find new ways to induce young people and other non-smokers to
inhale nicotine as a first step to becoming addicted
customers."
As evidence of the government's failed policy for the vaping
market, the groups pointed to the increase in nicotine use
among teenagers and young adults which followed the federal
policy change and which has reversed decades of progress against
nicotine addiction. The latest Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey
indicates that there were 240,100 more vapers in 2022-23 than in
2021-22, and that 86% of these individuals (206,900) are never
smokers. This means that on average, for every 40 former smokers
that start vaping every day, there are 567 never smokers who take
up vaping (206,900 divided by 365).
"Minister Saks should acknowledge the urgency for her action
and the consequences of her delay," said Ms. Doucas.
"We need a minister who is willing to stand up for Canadian
kids, who is willing to stand up at cabinet and who is willing to
stand up to the tobacco and nicotine industries."
"The time has come for her to regulate or resign so that
someone else can finally accomplish this important task. Canadian
youth deserve better," concluded Ms. Doucas.
SOURCE Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control