In November 2016, Bill S-5 regulating electronic cigarettes was introduced by Senator Peter Harder. In a complicated climate for the vaping industry, the final version of the bill was passed in the Commons last week and is expected to receive royal assent shortly.
COMPLETE REGULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE
In Canada, the final version of the bill was passed in the House last week and is expected to receive Royal Assent shortly. The bill was introduced a year and a half ago by Senator Peter Harder, the government representative in the Senate.
After receiving Royal Assent in the coming days, the new Tobacco and Vape Products Act will regulate the manufacture, sale, labeling and promotion of electronic cigarettes.
This new law must immediately make illegal the sale of vaping products to minors, as well as ban flavors aimed at young audiences and any advertising campaign touting testimonials, health benefits or a "way of life".
The law does, however, allow the manufacture, import and legal sale of vaping products with or without nicotine, clarified Health Canada Wednesday. The remaining clauses of the act will come into force only 180 days after Royal Assent to allow manufacturers and importers to comply.
Manufacturers who wish to promote their products by pleading its therapeutic virtues to quit smoking will have to obtain authorization from Health Canada before proceeding. (See our article on the subject)
Some experts have applauded the new rules for e-cigarettes, arguing that this legitimizes practice as a way of getting rid of tobacco. 
Others fear that the restrictions will discourage some smokers from exploring a much less damaging alternative to tobacco.
Both camps still agree that Canada lacks serious studies on vaping and its potential effects. David Sweanor, adjunct professor at the Center for Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa explains that “ the new law basically treats the vape as smoking with similar rules »
According to him, it prevents companies that make “non-combustion” products from educating smokers about this less risky option. Furthermore, it does not make an adequate distinction between the dangers of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.
The president of Canadian Medical Association, Dr. Laurent Marcoux, welcomes the law for its restrictions on promotion and advertising of vaping products. He also warns not to quickly conclude on the potential help that e-cigarettes represent to stop smoking.
BILL S-5 ALSO REGULATES TOBACCO
Bill S-5 also gives Health Canada the power to order tobacco companies to have completely neutral packages. Brands will therefore no longer be able to display their logos on cigarette packages, which greatly displeases the major cigarette producers.
The Director of Government Relations for Imperial Tobacco Canada, Eric Gagnon, argues that tobacco companies have the right to display their brand on their products.
And while supporting the rules on vaping, he believes that manufacturers and retailers should have the right to promote their products directly to consumers.
«Most provinces regulate vaping like tobacco… products are hidden from the public. With this mindset, it is difficult to educate consumers about the benefits of vaping products."Comments Mr. Gagnon.
Source : Lapresse.ca/
