NEWS
WE WON ’ T BE IGNORED ANYMORE
‘ Vape Tour 2021 ’ is a protest against flavour bans , high taxes and nicotine limits ahead of Canada ’ s September 20 federal election .
Words : Patrick Griffin
The largest mobilisation of Canadian vapers is underway as they fight for the access , availability and affordability of vaping products . The 26-stop tour aims to tell politicians that the country ’ s 1.5 million vapers are fed up with ongoing threats of flavour bans , nicotine limits and increased taxation . It will visit key towns and cities across Québec and Ontario with the message that it is time to ‘ save vaping to save lives .’ Rights4Vapers spokesperson Maria Papaioannoy said : “ The government will have no choice but to hear our voices . This is the fight for our lives . “ In the past we have been silenced and marginalised , but this tour will show candidates in this election that vapers will no longer be ignored .” She said it was vital that the right regulatory framework was in place to support the reduced risk alternative to smoking , adding that blanket flavour bans were not the answer . Maria told supporters in Ottawa : “ In Canada the voices of those who use tobacco harm reduction continue to be systemically excluded from all conversations when it comes to regulations . “ We have taken charge of the narrative and made the decision to give people a platform to speak up , that is what ‘ Vape Tour 2021 ’ is all about .” She added : “ Vaping saves lives and it should not be treated or regulated the same as tobacco . “ We cannot stand by and let any government , including the one that will be elected on September 20 , take an axe and destroy the most incredible invention of the 21st Century .
“ Almost 50,000 Canadians died last year from smoking-related illness while zero died from vaping-related illness or tobacco harm reduction . “ A flavour ban is the last straw and we are going to stand up against this .” Christina Xydous from the Québec Coalition for Vapers ’ Rights said : “ This tour is unprecedented as we take to the road to educate , empower and engage . “ We want everyone to understand that flavours are essential to making vaping a successful tobacco harm reduction tool ." The tour echoes a World Vapers ’ Alliance campaign , currently underway in Europe , to demonstrate essentially the same message to EU politicians . Both campaigns involve visiting towns and cities to hear ordinary adult vapers tell their stories about how important flavours are to keeping them from returning to smoking .
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