NEWS
WHY VAPERS ADVOCATES OF ONTARIO WANT
PROVINCIAL LAWMAKERS TO RETHINK THEIR
STANCE ON E-CIGARETTES
Vapers Advocates of Ontario warns that if provincial regulations
are released as-is, it will cause chaos in the industry as it struggles
to comply with these contradictory laws.
Maria Papaioannoy, VAO spokesperson and owner of Ecig Flavourium
in Toronto, said: “We are asking Ontario Health to delay the release
of the July 1 regulations until they have re-examined their stance
to align with that of Health Canada to ensure compliance from the
industry. Subjecting consumers and shop owners to a bag of mixed
messages is counterproductive for everyone."
The VAO has been actively participating in candidate rallies across the
province during this campaign and it's clear from the feedback that
more education is needed within all parties that vaping isn’t smoking.
Local business owners and consumers have taken part in multiple
events recently to highlight their opposition to the laws which would
ban vaping indoors.
Randy Labelle the manager of VapeMeet Windsor location, organized
a group to participate in a recent Progressive Conservatives Rally.
He said: “It was interesting listening to PC Leader Doug Ford engage
with the crowd. He is committed to simplifying Ontario regulations
as a whole. I think if we have the chance to meet with him, show
him the science we would be able to keep indoor sampling inside
our adult-only specialty vape shops.
“I am afraid that without a pause in the implementation of regulations
we will see the smoking rates in Ontario begin to rise."
Health Canada believes that vaping should be seen as a less harmful
alternative to smoking and should be regulated as such, yet Ontario
has chosen to regulate vaping like tobacco products, which will limit
access for smokers who need help to quit.
A group from VAO will be heading to Doug Ford's event in Ottawa
to once again engage with the party leader, and over the next few
days attend as many campaign events as possible.
Papaioannoy added: “Ontario Health who are about to have egg on
their faces. They’re about to embarrass themselves by releasing
regulations that contradict the views of our federal health authority.
For their sake, the sake of the industry, and for every smoker looking
to make the switch, they need to take a pause and think about the
ramifications for everyone involved."
32 | VMC
“ONTARIO HEALTH ARE ABOUT
TO EMBARRASS THEMSELVES
BY RELEASING REGULATIONS
THAT CONTRADICT THE VIEWS
OF OUR FEDERAL HEALTH
AUTHORITY” – VAO