As a member of the Ottawa Board of Health I was happy to receive and approve the recommendations submitted to Health Canada by the Medical Officer of Health on the proposed vaping products and packaging regulations.
It is extremely concerning to see vaping among youth continue to rise. Serious illness and even deaths have been attributed to vaping related products. The regulations for these products must be updated to protect youth and adults alike.
To quote from the report submitted to the Ottawa Board of Health on September 16th:
“Vaping among youth in Canada continues to increase in incidence and prevalence and corresponds to an increase in cigarette smoking. This research substantiates concerns that an underregulated vaping market will lead to increased smoking and threaten young generations with higher rates of preventable tobacco-related illness and death. International differences in vaping and smoking are associated with product availability and differences in local regulation. Consistent with prior submissions, OPH recommends that all vaping products be subject to similar regulation as combustible cigarettes. Canada can better mitigate upward trends in vaping and smoking with updated regulation to protect and inform youth and adult consumers of vaping products.”
