Quebec’s decision to ban flavorings in vaping is a major victory for tobacco companies, out-of-province sellers and contraband, says the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA).
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“Quebec has shifted demand to products owned by tobacco companies, retailers outside of Quebec and criminals. Quebec’s small businesses and national industry will be irreparably affected to the benefit of multinationals,” said spokesman Darryl Tempest.
The ACV is saddened by the proposed regulations by the Quebec government. According to this, vaping has been proven to be significantly less harmful than tobacco consumption. There is also evidence that many vapers will return to tobacco use.
illegal market
The Quebec government recognizes that businesses specializing in vaping will suffer closures and job losses, the ACV believes.
Canada has already seen the specialty food industry wiped out in Nova Scotia just 90 days after a flavor ban.
The ACV says no data has been released on Quebec youth vaping rates since 2020.
“The lack of a legal market opens the door to the illegal market to meet demand,” they said in a statement.
The taste test
On the other hand, the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control welcomes the government’s election
Quebec.
In her opinion, the proposed regulations contain several important measures to reduce the attractiveness of the products.
“The aroma ban is the most important single measure to reduce the attractiveness of vaping for young people. Flavor testing is the number one reason young people vape,” said Flory Doucas, spokeswoman for the Coalition.
The coalition clarifies that the idea is not to deprive smokers of flavored vape products, but to prevent the industry from creating new markets with non-smokers.
There would be more than 100,000 Quebecers between the ages of 12 and 24 vaping without having smoked.
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