NEWS
QUEBEC MINISTER ’ S
“ MISLEADING ”
ANTI-VAPE PROPOSAL
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé accused of “ endangering public health ” to support tighter vaping restrictions .
Words : Jordan Millar
The government of Quebec has been accused of “ misrepresenting ” the lung illness outbreak EVALI in order to justify its “ harmful ” new e-cigarette proposals . The Canadian Vaping Association ( CVA ) has accused health minister Christian Dubé of disregarding clear scientific evidence and says the proposals could push vapers back to smoking . “ While nicotine vaping was not the cause of the EVALI outbreak , it should serve as a warning of the dangers of the blackmarket ,” said CVA Director Executive Darryl Tempest . “ Minister Dubé ’ s proposed policy will not only force thousands of Quebecois back to smoking but will expand the black-market .” Experts have raised concerns that heavy regulations could lead to higher rates of illicit trade . Unlike registered vaping companies , black-market sellers are not subject to consumer protection laws , which could put vapers in harm ’ s way . “ Should this policy be implemented , Minister Dubé must acknowledge that he will be responsible for endangering public health ,” said Tempest .
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Should this policy be implemented , Minister Dubé must acknowledge that he will be responsible for endangering public health .
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The policy features several steps drafted to minimise vaping uptake amongst Quebec ’ s youth , the most troubling of which being a complete ban on flavoured e-liquids with the exception of tobacco . Dubé insists the strategy is in the best interest of public health , claiming that flavoured e-liquids are the main driver for underage vaping . He said : “ With the growing popularity of vaporization products , especially among young people , it becomes imperative to act to prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine .” However , the misconception that flavoured e-liquids encourage youth vaping has been largely discredited . According to a 2019 CDC report , less than 30 percent of young people took up vaping as a direct result of flavoured e-liquids . Instead , many blamed natural curiosity for their current habit . Additionally , a Yale research study revealed that “ adults who began vaping non-tobacco-flavoured e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking ,” indicating that Dubé ’ s proposal could pose a serious threat to adult smokers . The researchers highlighted that “ while proposed flavour bans are well-intentioned , they have disastrous outcomes . “ Legislation on vaping flavours must take the facts of smoking cessation and harm reduction into account , and we urge legislators against the widespread implementation of such bans .”
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