VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE - ISSUE 38 | Page 89

CANADA
Ontario politician France Gélinas has proposed a new bill which would ban all flavours apart from tobacco . Critics of the MPP ’ s bill - ‘ Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act ( Vaping Is Not For Kids )’ – says it contravenes the legal rights of the province ’ s citizens . Maria Papaioannoy , from Canadian advocacy group Rights 4 Vapers , has sent an open letter to the politician asking her to rethink the move . She wrote : “ We are disappointed that the New Democratic Party choose not to engage with consumers of vaping products and continues to perpetuate the systemic exclusion of smokers from the tobacco harm reduction conversation .
This would leave deadly cigarettes as the only option for those who smoke , those who use vaping flavoured nicotine products or those inclined to become smokers .
MPP Gélinas , with all due respect , what do you have against people addicted to nicotine and why do you not value tobacco harm reduction ?
The proposed bill is far-reaching and will only continue the myth that nicotine vaping products are as dangerous or more dangerous than tobacco cigarettes .
A flavour ban does not help heavy smokers switch , nor does it help the current vaper , who uses flavoured vaping products to remain smoke-free .
The push that vape shops would only be allowed to operate if they met approval by the region ’ s health board would mean that most , if not all , vape shops will be forced to close .
IRELAND
The Irish Parliament is currently in the process of passing a Public Health ( Tobacco and Inhaling Products ) Bill 2022 , which could potentially include a flavour ban .
As reported in the news section of this issue , Irish vaping advocates appeared before a parliamentary committee to oppose the move . They argued that a flavour ban would have a negative impact on the nation ’ s health , damage consumer choice and setback the country ’ s goals on tobacco harm reduction .
Politicians were told that there was no evidence that flavours made vaping products more attractive to children . However , they were also told that there was clear evidence that flavours were vital for adult vapers to stop them switching back to cigarettes .
An Independent European Vape Alliance survey found that around 65 percent of Irish vapers used fruit or sweet e-liquids every day . Currently there is no age limit for vape sales in Ireland and the Bill proposes new measures to restrict sales to over 18 ’ s , a move supported by industry advocates .
85