Vapouround Magazine ISSUE 35 | Page 13

WE ’ LL SEE YOU IN COURT !
The Canadian Vaping Association is raising Can $ 1,500,000 to hold policymakers responsible for ‘ wilfully violating ’ the rights of its citizens . This comes after proposed federal flavour bans threatened to undo the country ’ s smoke-free progress and ‘ decimate the industry ’. Already receiving more than $ 650,000 of its ambitious goal , the CVA is preparing to legally challenge the ban . It said : “ While vape advocates have launched campaigns to save flavours , we must prepare for the worst-case scenario . We need your support to hold the government accountable for the harm they intend to inflict .”
SMOKING WOULD SKYROCKET
Flavour bans could create a ‘ mass switch to smoking ’ amongst teens and adult vapers , warn advocates . A new study revealed that , if flavours were limited to tobacco , ‘ one-third of US vapers aged 18 to 34 ’ could move to cigarettes . Neurobiologist and harm reduction advocate Dr . Charles Gardner claimed that anti-vaping groups have ‘ staked their reputations ’ on the ‘ public health benefits ’ of flavour bans . He stressed that ‘ the FDA must know flavour bans will increase teen , young adult and older adult smoking ’.
WAKE UP !
The UK is ‘ sleepwalking into another public health crisis ’ as new figures reveal that smoking has surged amongst young people during the COVID lockdown . Cancer Research UK says the number of 18-34-year-olds smoking increased by a quarter to 27 percent , during the first lockdown . VPZ director Doug Mutter said : “ These figures are alarming and show a worrying trend . “ We are sleepwalking into another public health crisis with a new generation of smokers being consigned to an early death or serious disease .”
WE NEED TO ACT NOW !
The World Vapers ’ Alliance is launching its Vaping Products Directive ( VPD ) and wants to hear from you . The consumer-driven report comes ahead of the EU ’ s Tobacco Products Directive ( TPD ) update and aims to educate policymakers about the benefits of vaping . A WVA spokesperson said : “ If we want to secure accessibility and affordability of vaping products , we need to act now . This is your chance to let them know what YOU think about vaping and how it should be regulated .”
SADDENED BUT NOT SURPRISED
The UKVIA has blamed the Government ’ s refusal to allow vape stores to remain open during lockdown for a ‘ significant proportion ’ of a new rise in smoking rates . It had campaigned intensely to keep vape shops open , warning the UK government and the devolved administrations that smoking rates would rise with enforced closures . UKVIA Director General John Dunne said : “ Sadly this new research comes as no surprise . With far fewer places to buy vaping products it was inevitable that many would return to smoking .” See previous story : ‘ WAKE UP !’
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