“THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO ARE SOME
OF THE MOST EXPERIMENTED-UPON
IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO
SMOKING CESSATION”
Marc believes that Ontario’s reputation for enacting strict smoke-
free legislation makes vaping a hard-sell for the government.
It wants to be seen as progressive and not kowtowing to the
tobacco industry, which many people wrongly believing vaping to
be a part of. But this punitive approach means smokers are losing
out on the benefits that vaping could provide.
“The people of Ontario are some of the most experimented-upon
in the country when it comes to smoking-cessation,” Marc said.
“They tried Nicotine-Replacement Therapy, hypnosis, shame.
Smokers have a nicotine addiction, but it’s combustible tobacco
that’s the problem.”
The CVA hopes to help foster a more mature image, one that
encourages smokers in their forties and above to make the switch.
They are looking to the UK as a template of what progressive and
proportionate regulation should look like.
“The UK is the gold standard in harm-reduction,” Marc added.
While Bill 174 is very much their current focus, the CVA’s
important work will continue as more regulations are drawn up
at the national and provincial level. The key thing to emphasize,
Marc explains, is that Canada wants vaping.
“Our government said no to COP 7, the World Health
Organization’s attempt to ban vaping. We’ll continue to work with
Health Canada to ensure that smokers have access to the less-
harmful alternative that has already helped improve the lives of
so many Canadians.”
VMC | 49