In Canada, the'' Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) currently appears to be across the board open. Recently it is a Calgary Sun article which made the association jump. Entitled "Province has a moral obligation to ban flavored vaping products, say some doctors in Alberta," the article features thirty doctors from the province of Alberta who advocate for flavors, except tobacco, be banned and that nicotine concentrations be limited to 20 milligrams per milliliter, while questioning the effectiveness of vaping as a cessation tool.
A PRESS RELEASE THAT CONFIRMS THE CONCERNS ABOUT ACV AND VAPOTEURS!
The 15 June 2020 - An article published by the Calgary Sun, "Province has moral obligation to ban flavored vaping products, say some doctors in Alberta," raised serious concerns with the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) and thousands of Albertans who have chosen vaping as a much safer alternative to combustible tobacco. Thirty doctors in Alberta are advocating for flavors other than tobacco to be banned and for nicotine levels to be limited to 20 milligrams per milliliter, while questioning the effectiveness of vaping as a cessation tool .
Failure to recognize the many conclusive studies that prove that vaping is both much less harmful than combustible tobacco and that it is the most effective smoking cessation product in the world shows that many leave their personal prejudices behind obstruct the facts. It is clear that this group of physicians in Alberta did not take the time to review the research, or that they simply did not wish to recognize vaping as an unprecedented tool for reducing the number of smoking-related illnesses, the leading cause of death in Canada.
There are many credible peer-reviewed studies that have proven that vaping is less harmful than smoking, including a study by the Royal College of Physicians which concluded for the sixth consecutive year that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. In addition, the National Health Services (NHS) conducted a controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to various nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, such as patches, gums, etc., or to drugs. Electronic cigarettes. This trial concluded after a year of follow-up that vaping is almost twice as effective as major NRT products, and smokers increase their odds of quitting by 83% using e-cigarettes compared to NRTs. The Rutgers School of Public Health and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health also conducted a study on the effectiveness of vaping which found that 50% of daily vapers are from individuals who successfully quit smoking completely. These studies clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in quitting smoking, and the harm reduction is undeniable.
This group of Alberta doctors have asked the Alberta government to ban flavors altogether to curb vaping in young people, but it only indicates that they have not reviewed the relevant research. Flavor bans have been shown to be categorically ineffective and counterproductive. When developing regulations, the availability of flavored vaping products must be taken into account through foreign distributors through online shopping and through the unregulated and sometimes dangerous black market. The ban on flavors in regulated vaping shops only benefits those who want to take advantage of Canada's youth and avoid the application of effective regulations. In addition, all studies to date have shown that flavor bans only serve to increase the rate of smoking, and this has no impact on the vaping rate of young people.
After Juul's voluntary phase-out of flavors in the United States, the American Cancer Society conducted a study that concluded that with no flavors available, the rate of vaping among young people did not change. Instead of quitting vaping, young people simply turned to tobacco and mint vaping products. The idea that flavored vaping products contribute to youth vaping is a misconception that has also been discredited by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC report "Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among High School Students," 77,7% of surveyed teens who had tried vaping said they had done so for some reason unrelated to the flavor. , the most common being simply curiosity.
The reason the flavor bans have been shown to be ineffective is that young people who smoke regularly don't smoke for flavor, but for high nicotine levels or the nicotine “buzz”. This is why the LCA strongly agrees with Alberta doctors on the need to limit nicotine levels to 20 milligrams per milliliter and has advocated this change at the federal level. This would align regulations here in Canada with those in the European Union, where youth vaping rates have remained relatively low.
The increase in vaping rates among young people here in Canada is directly related to the entry into the market of vaping products owned by Big Tobacco. With the advent of tobacco industry-owned vape products, aggressive advertising campaigns have not been limited to adult environments. In addition, the products distributed by these companies have nicotine concentrations of 57 to 59 milligrams per milliliter, which makes them very addictive. In addition, the devices are very easily concealed. The United Kingdom has not observed an increase in the rate of vaping among young people due to the nicotine limit which had been established in the European Union before the entry of brands of products with a high nicotine content held by tobacco companies; this nicotine limit meant that high nicotine content products distributed by companies like Juul and Vype were not available in the UK to attract young people.
“Vaping is an effective solution, and this has been proven time and time again in peer reviewed studies. It is an effective tool to dramatically reduce harms in adult smokers who choose to improve their health and extend their lives by quitting combustible tobacco. Flavors are the key to adoption, and are used by over 90% of adult vapers. If flavors are banned, flavored vape products won't just go away; instead, the black market will simply take over. We know from experience in the United States that unregulated vape products are easily made by criminals and pose a significant danger to public health. Industry, health advocates and government should work together to find effective and balanced solutions, but so far many health advocates refuse to engage in constructive dialogue, ”said Darryl Tempest , Executive Director of the Canadian Vaping Association. “This group of doctors in Alberta called on the government to ban flavored vape products that save the lives of adult smokers, saying youth vaping makes it a moral obligation. Where is the moral obligation to ban flavored alcohol or flavored sodas that are high in caffeine and sugar, all of which have a negative impact when used by our young people? Where is the moral appeal of this group to ban the province's biggest killer, combustible tobacco? Instead, they are fighting against the most effective harm reduction product in the world, ”concluded Tempest.
LCA shares the concerns of all Canadians regarding youth vaping and has recommended several practical solutions to prevent youth from accessing vaping products, while ensuring that adult smokers have the tools they need to stop smoking tobacco. The policies implemented in British Columbia and Ontario correctly target youth membership and access issues by limiting the sale of flavored vape products to specialty vaping stores and by enforcing restrictions on vape products. high concentration of nicotine. On the other hand, the flavoring ban implemented in Nova Scotia is more aimed at reformed adult smokers, closing almost all regulated adult vaping stores and creating a thriving black market. To really reduce young people's access to vaping products, the sale of adult products must be limited to specialized vape stores that respect the age restriction. Other recommendations should include tougher penalties for anyone who sells to minors. These sanctions should not be in the hundreds of dollars, but in the thousands, and other harsh sanctions for commercial offenders or repeat offenders should be introduced.
While we commend all health professionals and public health advocates for their continued efforts to protect young people from exposure to nicotine, an effort supported by our industry since its inception, it is imperative that they examine research and recognize vaping as the most effective harm reduction tool in the world. 45 Canadians will die from combustible tobacco this year; thus, we agree that there is a moral obligation here, but that obligation is to work together to support any solution that can prevent so many unnecessary deaths. Vaping can save the lives of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Canadians. Studies have repeatedly shown that banning flavors would only harm adult smokers, without having a significant impact on the experience of young people. Advocating for policies that limit the availability of the most effective smoking cessation tool and the flavors that play such an important role in the success rates of reformed smokers negates the importance of thousands of Alberta lives, an act that we consider really like immoral.
