In Quebec, anti-smoking organizations denounce the inconsistency of the federal government, which is preparing to regulate electronic cigarettes. They want electronic cigarette advertising to be limited.
ADVERTISING ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR SMOKERS!
The Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, the Canadian Public Health Association and Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada want to ban the advertising of vapers in the public sphere which could "create a new generation of smokers».
They testified Monday before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health where Bill S-5 is under consideration.
«It is not a bill that is balanced"Said the spokesperson of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, Flory Doucas, at a press conference.
This legislation aims to regulate the electronic cigarette which, although illegal, has already been sold over the counter in Canada for about ten years. This includes its manufacture, sale, labeling and promotion.
«In fact, we have not taken the necessary measures to control the marketing of these products., highlighted Ms. Doucas. We will allow 
commercials on TV, radio, all-round bus shelters for electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine.»
It is this ingredient that is addictive. According to these organizations, advertisements promoting electronic cigarettes could encourage non-smokers, especially young people, to start smoking. They fear that once addicted, these new smokers will turn to traditional cigarettes.
They propose that the advertising of vaping products be limited to smokers who can use them as a tool to quit. It was this beneficial effect that first prompted them to support the bill.
They are prepared to withdraw that support if the government rejects their proposed amendment. They demand that the same advertising rules for tobacco products apply to electronic cigarettes and that, therefore, ads that associate them with a certain lifestyle be banned.
THE FEDERAL MINISTER OF HEALTH IS THINKING OF BANNING IT!
The Federal Minister of Health, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, consider banning the advertising of electronic cigarettes in the public space as requested by anti-smoking organizations.
«We must have fairly clear restrictions, she argued when she left the House of Commons on Monday. We want to ensure that these products will in no way attract our young people. "
She stands out from her predecessor, Jane Philpott, who invoked the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms during testimony before a Senate committee in April. Ms Philpott then explained that the evidence on the harmfulness of vaping products was not strong enough for the government to limit the right of companies to promote them.
Ms. Petitpas Taylor will testify in turn on Wednesday, before a parliamentary committee this time, to discuss Bill S-5, which aims to regulate electronic cigarettes. It is still illegal even though it has already been freely sold in Canada for about ten years.
Imperial Tobacco, which dominates the vaping market in the United States and England, considers these anti-smokinganti-industry groups" rather "health lobby". The cigarette maker is anxiously awaiting passage of Bill S-5 to enter the Canadian vaping market.
«There are many consumers who smoke today who will not choose a less harmful alternative like vaping products.", Said in an interview the director of corporate affairs of Imperial Tobacco, Eric Gagnon, in an interview.
«And we believe that it is important to have communication with these consumers to encourage them to buy less harmful products.", he added. The company, which testified in April before a Senate committee, was not invited to be heard again in parliamentary committee.
Source : Lapresse.ca/
