PEI Seeks to Ban Flavours – VITA’s Response

The Vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA), a leading voice for the Canadian vaping industry, is disappointed by the latest announcement from the Government of Prince Edward Island (P.E.I). The proposed Private Member’s Bill includes measures to ban vaping flavours that help adult smokers switch and stay off cigarettes and restrict where adult smokers can purchase less harmful alternatives.

“VITA is committed to working proactively with regulators and policymakers to address youth vaping, however, governments must also strike the right balance so we save the public health benefit vaping products present for adult smokers, while keeping nicotine products out of the hands of young people,” said Daniel David, President & CEO, VITA.

The application of a provincial ban on flavours could undermine the switching rates of adult smokers towards less harmful alternatives. Current federal regulations already prohibit the promotion of certain flavours thought to be appealing to youth and must be enforced. Prohibiting the sale of all vaping flavours may also have the effect of encouraging those who rely on vaping products to stay off cigarettes to purchase their flavours through the illicit market, which is absent manufacturing standards and therefore exposes the vaper to considerable risk.

In addition, vaping products should be readily available to adult smokers, particularly wherever tobacco or cigarette products are sold. Studies have shown that limiting retail access points reduces the likelihood that current adult smokers will make the switch, diminishing the harm-reduction potential of vaping products as an alternative to smoking.

“We support the provincial government’s role in combating youth vaping, but these measures should be done in coordination with Health Canada, our national regulator, to avoid a patchwork of legislation that will be difficult to enforce and therefore ineffective,” concluded David.

For more information on VITA’s positions, please visit the website.

Media Inquiries:
Daniel David, President & CEO
Vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA)
media@vitaofcanada.com