Vaping Industry Trade Association calls on the Government of Quebec to Hold a Parliamentary Commission

Montreal, May 29, 2020 – In response to the announced Government strategy regarding tobacco and vaping products, the Vaping Industry Trade Association (VITA) calls on the government to ensure that all stakeholders are heard through public consultation. VITA, the true voice of the vaping industry in Quebec, is very disappointed that it was not consulted by Dr. Horacio Arruda and calls on the Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Danielle Mccann, to hold a parliamentary committee to hear from all stakeholders, including industry representatives.

VITA believes that before introducing new restrictions, the Quebec Government should consider the measures taken and the work currently being done by the Federal Government and Health Canada over the past few months in relation to the regulation of vaping products. Harmonized provincial-federal regulations must be preferred. Furthermore, in the context of the pandemic, the Association wishes to reiterate that there is no scientific consensus on the relationship between the use of vaping products and COVID-19.

“We fully share the government’s commitment to restricting youth access to vaping. Unfortunately, it seems to us that the debate around the regulation of vaping products was dominated by emotions rather than a rational discussion with all stakeholders. The Health Minister and her government should put in place a parliamentary commission. This public consultation would allow parliamentarians to have all the relevant information on the issue. Consequently, we hope that the government will wait until hearings are held on the issue before introducing new regulations for vaping products,” said Mr. Daniel Marien vape shop owner and founding director of the Vaping Industry Trade Association.

The Vaping Industry Trade Association wants, as well as the government, measures to be taken to ensure that youth do not have access to and use vaping products.

Remember that:

• According to Health Canada, vaping is less harmful than smoking. Vaping products and e-cigarettes can reduce health risks for smokers who are unwilling or unable to stop nicotine use.
• The Académie nationale de médecine de France has established that vaporette is less dangerous than cigarettes and has been saying since 2015 that it is preferable for a smoker to vape. According to Santé Publique France, at least 700,000 smokers have quit smoking using a vaporette.
• Several scientific studies around the world, particularly in the UK, have demonstrated that vaping products are an effective tool in tobacco control by providing adult smokers with an inexpensive and potentially less harmful alternative to their health.

In the context of the World No Tobacco Day, it remains critical that the discussion around vaping products be rational and transparent among industry stakeholders, public health experts, harm reduction experts and government. We need evidence-based discussion and stronger enforcement of existing federal and provincial laws. Vaping is 95% less harmful than cigarettes and is one of the solutions to reduce the harmful effects of smoking among smokers

“We look forward to collaborating with Ministers Danielle Mccann and Lionel Carmant to reduce the use of vaping among youth. However, we believe this issue is not a priority during a pandemic. Our objective with vaping remains to offer an effective alternative to smokers while supporting measures that will have a real impact on the Quebec Government’s public health objectives. We therefore believe that it is in the interest of all parliamentarians to broaden the debate and to exchange directly with all stakeholders,” concluded Mr Marien.