It is a real economic and social tsunami that could befall Canada in the coming months following terrible decisions against vaping. Analysis reveals that 90% of vape shops will close their doors within 90 days of the law coming into force if flavor restrictions are enforced. A disaster !
TOWARDS THE DESTRUCTION OF AN INDUSTRY THAT FIGHTS SMOKING?
The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) has consistently denounced the adverse public health effects of proposed restrictions on flavored vaping products. Today, the alarm bells have been sounded because disaster is imminent. In a recent official press release, the association is particularly worried about professionals in the sector.
The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) has repeatedly denounced the adverse public health effects of proposed restrictions on flavored vaping products. This harm has been clearly articulated by the industry and tobacco harm reduction advocates. Since the election began, more than 500 Canadian smokers have died from smoking-related illnesses. As the Canadian vaping industry, made up mostly of small businesses owned by repentant smokers, work tirelessly to educate and save lives, prohibitive vaping regulations around flavors are helping to destroy those same businesses.
While the public health impact of a flavor ban is widely discussed, the impact on small Canadian businesses is much less. In its proposal to ban flavors, Health Canada recognizes that restrictions on flavors would disproportionately benefit large foreign companies, while deepening the business model of small Canadian companies. The collateral damage caused by the closing of small businesses and the loss of thousands of Canadian jobs are apparently acceptable consequences for Health Canada.
These consequences are illustrated by the flavor ban in Nova Scotia, which came into effect on April 1, 2020. Prior to the flavor ban, Nova Scotia had 55 specialty stores. Within 60 days of the restrictions taking effect, 24 stores had closed. Today, 24 specialty stores remain open, of which 14 have indicated they intend to close if the ongoing legal challenge is unsuccessful, and 10 intend to remain open, but are not sure whether this is possible in the long term.
Currently, there are approximately 1 specialty stores in Canada. Industry analysis reveals that 400% of these stores will close within 90 days of the law coming into force if flavor restrictions are enforced. The independent vape industry (not affiliated with tobacco) employs nearly 90 people. The restrictions on flavors are putting more than a thousand small businesses and thousands of jobs at risk at a time when local economies are particularly fragile.
It is alarming that a Canadian department has proposed a policy that by its own admission will hurt Canadian businesses and favor foreign businesses. It is common for countries to implement protectionist policies, but Health Canada has chosen a path that will wipe out a Canadian industry and kill thousands of smokers every year.
