HRC does not support restrictions on flavours. As evidenced by the study, Associations of Flavored e-Cigarette Uptake With Subsequent Smoking Initiation and Cessation, flavours are integral to the efficacy of nicotine vapour products as a quit aid. Mounting research finds that smokers who quit using a flavoured product are more likely to quit than those using a tobacco flavoured product and restrictions on flavours lead to increased smoking among all age demographics.

HRC does however support restrictions on where flavoured vaping products can be sold. Flavoured products should be restricted to specialty vape stores. Limiting distribution allows for a controlled and more easily enforced sales environment.

You can find the full study here.

Nicotine vaping products should not be used by youth or non-smokers. Youth are best protected through a regulated environment which prioritizes enforcement of the regulations designed to protect them. Factual and judgement free education and prevention programs need to be prioritized by governments. Additionally, resources should be developed and distributed to parents on how to talk to their kids about vaping.

HRC supports licensing as a requirement to sell vapour products. A licensing system enables more consistent enforcement and promotes compliance with regulations. The threat of license suspension or loss provides a tool to remove businesses breaking the law from the market.

HRC is strongly opposed to taxing harm reduction products. Excise taxes make vaping products cost prohibitive, particularly for smokers who statistically come from the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups. These taxes have been shown to increase smoking rates and reduce the adoption of vaping products among smokers, without any evidence that they reduce youth usage.

Additionally, the study Intended and Unintended Effects of E-cigarette Taxes on Youth Tobacco Use found that increases in vapour product taxes, increased use of cigarettes by youth, a more harmful alternative. The study concluded that the unintended effects of taxation may considerably undercut or even outweigh any public health gains.

You can find the full study here.

HRC supports restrictions on marketing and promotion that could be reasonably appealing to youth and where youth are present. Health Canada must release approved statements and adult targeted campaigns to educate people who smoke about vaping’s reduced risk profile.

HRC supports the regulation of the nicotine vaping industry and believes that Canada’s existing regulations are the strongest globally for protecting young people and non-smokers. However, we do not support overly restrictive regulations that diminish the appeal of vaping products to people who smoke or make them cost-prohibitive.