The Canadian government recently consulted on its proposals for regulating—read:banning—flavors used in vaping products.
Its supposed justifications include a perceived increase in youth vaping exposing young people to harm, and the notion that vaping is a “gateway” into cigarette smoking.
Both concerns are flawed to say the least, as is Health Canada’s claim that banning all flavors except tobacco and menthol is any kind of solution.
According to Statistics Canada, teen smoking has been falling more rapidly than in previous years and is now at a record low. If vapes were driving cigarette use, surely smoking rates would be increasing? When it comes to teen vaping, research suggests that youth who vape would be smoking at higher rates if vapes weren’t available. Data from more than one country have shown that most daily teen vapers have previously tried smoking. And research has also shown that vaping is a gateway out of—not into—smoking.
By eradicating flavors, Health Canada risks ridding vaping of one of its most prominent attractions.
Martin Cullip – Filter – 2021-10-12.
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