MISSED OPPORTUNITY: QUEBEC GOVERNMENT LOSES CHANCE TO BE A PIONEER IN TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION
Toronto, ON – April 20, 2023 – Right4Vapers, Canada’s largest vapers’ rights advocacy group, is profoundly disappointed that the Government of Quebec has chosen to dismiss the health of Quebecers who vape and smoke and to succumb to the pressure of government-funded special interest groups by banning all flavoured vapour products.
“Quebec had a golden opportunity. It could have looked to markets like the UK and New Zealand and moved forward with a progressive tobacco harm reduction platform but allowing flavours in adult-only specialty vape shops,” said Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for Rights4Vapers. “Instead, the government moved backwards. Banning all flavours will deprive people who vape of the products that have helped them quit smoking; it will close small businesses; and it will drive the vapour market underground.”
Flavours are an important reason why people who smoke chose to vape. They disassociate vaping from smoking. Research has shown that smokers who move to vaping do not want the taste of tobacco. They want something different while still getting the satisfaction of nicotine.
New Zealand allows flavours in specialty vape shops with tobacco, mint and menthol products sold in convenience stores. The UK recently announced a ground-breaking Swap to Stop program where vapers will be given a free supply of vapour products to help them quit smoking.
“Why is Quebec trapped in the dark ages? Who is the government listening to?” said Ms. Papaionannoy. “Vaping is less harmful than smoking. We should be encouraging smokers to move to vaping, and we should be applauding vapers for making the switch. This is not how public health should be run in the 21st century.”
The opinions and attitudes of Quebec residents towards vaping are supported by recent academic and scientific studies that shows vaping is a less harmful alternative to smoking. Public health authorities around the world have made it clear that vaping can be an effective tool to help smokers quit smoking. But only if the right regulatory and societal frameworks are in place.
Vapour products are the best hope for Quebecers who smoke and are looking for an alternative to cigarettes. In 2021, Public Health England released its latest review of vapour studies. It found that “the best thing that a smoker can do is to stop smoking completely and the evidence shows that vaping is one of the most effective quit aids available, helping around 50,000 smokers quit a year.”
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For more information, please contact:
Rights4Vapers : media@rights4vapers.com
