Retailers lament the rigor with which the new 44 Law is applied in the field of electronic cigarettes and are convinced that the new regulations have the effect of discouraging smokers from trying to quit smoking.
«There's a lot of nonsense, we really missed the boat, "says Daniel Marien, owner of 16 stores the Vape Shop, in the Montreal area. "It's abusive, it's a dictatorial regime ! "
Not allowed to serve water
For example ? "In my stores, I have water machines. I was told that I had to remove them. They do not want us to use free beverages to encourage future customersSays Marien, also a spokesman for the Canadian Vaping Association.
Another example, shops had to pick up the information boards of the walls. The law prohibits the promotion of vaping, and this ban goes from the store to the personal Facebook pages of those who work there. An inspector has even asked Marien to stop publishing newspaper articles on the subject on his Facebook page, which is "an attack on my freedom of expression"He pleads.
In addition, the lack of information and the strict ban on vape in the shops increases the risk of making bad choices and can discourage people from trying to quit, says Marier, and that's what he deplores above all things.
The right combination of liquid composition, flavor, nicotine levels, type of vaping and battery power can be difficult to find and the prohibition of in-store testing before buying helps not at all, he explains. He gives the example of the nicotine rate. "Before, in store, we made try nicotine dosage to see if the customer was comfortable. Now they want to be reimbursed because they have been poorly counseled. You have to make an informed choice to enjoy the experience. If people do not like, they will not use it and the success rate will be affected».
Risky when misused
And misuse can be very dangerous, as this young man from Alberta, whose cigarette has exploded in his face, knows all too well. The latter allegedly used components that were not compatible with each other. When misused, the vaper can also overheat and 
burn the liquid instead of evaporating it, which increases health risks tenfold.
The retired pulmonologist Gaston Ostiguy, who was one of the first to recommend the electronic cigarette to his sick patients, goes in the same direction. "Experience shows that people use it very badly"He says. People need to know how to use it, how to maintain it and should have the opportunity to try it in the shop.»
This is the key to success for him. "The big success of the electronic cigarette comes from the fact that the act of smoking is reproduced and that one can have a suitable flavor. If they do not have the opportunity to try itIn the presence of competent people, it is more difficult.
And when it does not work,people give up and come back to the tobacco cigarette". For him, "it's a bit odd that we talk about legalizing marijuana when we have not thought about legalizing and controlling the quality of the product in the field of electronic cigarettesSays the doctor, referring to Health Canada's lack of standards.
Merchants also deplore the fact that it is now impossible to sell e-cigarettes and liquids over the Internet, a means that is nevertheless preferred for therapeutic marijuana.
Difficult in the region
The prohibition of online sales, according to the owner of Brume experience in Quebec, Mario Verreault, "it's sadEspecially for people who live far from major centers. "I have clients who came from the North Shore, Gaspésie; There are no stores in their areas!And that, the Ministry of Health recognizes it. "I understand that it's a bit difficultSays spokeswoman Caroline Gingras. She adds, however, that the number of outlets (currently 500) is growing rapidly and that there are other aids to quit smoking in pharmacies.
Protecting young people
She reminds that the law aims to continue the fight against smoking, prevent it and motivate people to stop. The assimilation of the electronic cigarette to tobacco took into account the unknowns related to vaping, the public consultation that took place and scientific studies. “There were goals to protect young people and reduce the appeal of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes.»
But the main argument of the traders and Dr. Ostiguy is that the new law undermines the chances of success of vaping to quit because it is now much more difficult to teach the operation and maintenance of smoking. the thing when you can not try it in the shop. To that, Mrs. Gingras replies that it is always possible to mount it to customers in the shop and that to test it, just go outside. She added however that from next November, the vapoteurs will have to respect the minimum distance of nine meters of the entry.
Twenty-five inspectors travel across Quebec to enforce the law on tobacco control.
Source : Journalduquebec.com
