On November 22, 2016, the Canadian government introduced new legislation to regulate the production, sale, labeling and promotion of vaping products as announced by Health Minister Jane Philpot in September, along with the Tobacco Control Reorientation Strategy for a Healthy Canada.
The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act is an early legislative process that was read in the Senate yesterday. The new laws, which are intended to change a number of previous tobacco laws, were sponsored by Senator Peter Harder, and the public can follow the progress on the Parliament of Canada website.
The laws are in flux.
Since its introduction to Canada, vaping has faced a number of legal challenges. Under pressure from a variety of voices, several provincial governments have introduced legislation that has been heavily criticized by vapers , vaper associations, and even health professionals. Other provinces have decided to wait until the federal government provides clearer guidance on how these products should be regulated.
With the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, vaping will be managed in a separate category, completely separate from cigarettes. Officials have affirmed that managing vapes is mandatory to reduce minors' exposure to them, but with this management, adults can still buy and use this safe alternative to cigarettes to protect their own health.
Measures directly related to vaping management are:
- The term “vape product” includes components and e-liquids but does not include nicotine content.
- Regulations restricting sales to minors.
- Regulations to prevent advertising products to teenagers.
- Regulations restricting certain flavors that are appealing to minors (especially candy and dessert flavors).
- Child-safe packaging requirements to prevent accidental nicotine poisoning.
- Minimum standards for e-cigarette equipment, essential oil materials and emissions.
This article was published on Vapingpost by Jérôme Harlay and translated by The Vape Club.
