The end of flavours
(Quebec) Punch, bubble gum, peach-mango-guava, Classic Ice: these exotic flavors of vaping will soon be a thing of the past in Quebec as the Legault government prepares to ban them. The industry responds and says it fears "an unprecedented public health crisis", the closure of 480 specialty stores and the loss of 2000,<> jobs, but experts welcome the measure.
"I started buying myself pot, and then I started smoking it so I wouldn't feel like smoking something all the time. [...] If there was no flavor, maybe I wouldn't smoke," Juliette wonders, pensively.
Just like several young people met in front of the Cégep du Vieux Montréal on Wednesday, the latter vapes, but does not smoke cigarettes, at least on a daily basis. All say they want to stop when their vape flavors are no longer available over the counter.
It's boring, I'll probably stop it, especially since it's become ca*** expensive, with taxes and everything.
"There are people I know who will do the same thing," said another, calling the tobacco flavor, the only one that will remain allowed, "not good".
Sales of this one represent only 8% of vaping products in the province, according to a study published by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) last month. Half of the products sold between January and May 2022 were fruit-flavoured and 40% mint-flavoured.
Extremely importantThe Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, made public Wednesday, in the Gazette officielle du Québec, this draft regulation that La Presse reported on March 2. It will come into force in 90 days.
According to Christian Dubé, eliminating flavors was extremely important. If he says he expects an increase in smuggling, it was not strong enough not to go ahead with this measure.
Quebec also points out that "this draft regulation should have a financial impact on businesses that derive revenue from the sale of these products, particularly with regard to the decrease in their sales and the loss of jobs, particularly for shops specializing in vaping products. However, a smaller impact is envisaged for businesses that offer a variety of other products, such as convenience stores and gas stations. »
"It's excessively profitable for cigarette lobbies to join with vaping, because it's a way to encourage new smokers, so it's normal that there is lobby. But we are very firm on this, "said Christian Dubé.
A welcome measureThe announcement was quickly welcomed by stakeholders in favour of greater restriction of vaping products.
According to a study funded by Heart+stroke and conducted among Quebecers aged 16 to 24, they would start vaping before their15th birthday, do so six days a week and 31 times a day, on average. "More than a quarter of young people started smoking cigarettes after they started vaping because they are addicted to nicotine," said Kevin Bilodeau, director of government relations in Quebec for the organization.
Vapoteuse with peach, mango and guava flavour
As for the presence of flavours in vaping products, he adds that "nine out of ten young people mention that this is an important reason why they started vaping and the same number say it is an important factor to continue".
If Wednesday's announcement is "a step in the right direction" and "long overdue news," Dr. Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and researcher specializing in adolescent medicine, believes that more will have to be done to fight the scourge of vaping among young Quebecers.
The industry in furyHowever, the industry sees things differently and says it fears an "unprecedented public health crisis" and the creation of a "new black market for vaping" as "hundreds of thousands of adult ex-smokers will be deprived of an effective [alternative] to cigarettes and will be tempted to start smoking again".
"The government of François Legault is showing unacceptable dogmatism and willful blindness! Prohibition, as we have seen with alcohol and cannabis, has never worked, "said the founding director of the Association of Representatives of the Vaping Industry, Daniel Marien.
The ban on flavours in vaping would result in the closure of the majority of the 480 specialty stores and the loss
of the majority of the 2200 jobs in Quebec.
"I started buying myself pot, and then I started smoking it so I wouldn't feel like smoking something all the time. [...] If there was no flavor, maybe I wouldn't smoke," Juliette wonders, pensively.
Just like several young people met in front of the Cégep du Vieux Montréal on Wednesday, the latter vapes, but does not smoke cigarettes, at least on a daily basis. All say they want to stop when their vape flavors are no longer available over the counter.
It's boring, I'll probably stop it, especially since it's become ca*** expensive, with taxes and everything.
"There are people I know who will do the same thing," said another, calling the tobacco flavor, the only one that will remain allowed, "not good".
Sales of this one represent only 8% of vaping products in the province, according to a study published by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) last month. Half of the products sold between January and May 2022 were fruit-flavoured and 40% mint-flavoured.
Extremely importantThe Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, made public Wednesday, in the Gazette officielle du Québec, this draft regulation that La Presse reported on March 2. It will come into force in 90 days.
According to Christian Dubé, eliminating flavors was extremely important. If he says he expects an increase in smuggling, it was not strong enough not to go ahead with this measure.
Quebec also points out that "this draft regulation should have a financial impact on businesses that derive revenue from the sale of these products, particularly with regard to the decrease in their sales and the loss of jobs, particularly for shops specializing in vaping products. However, a smaller impact is envisaged for businesses that offer a variety of other products, such as convenience stores and gas stations. »
"It's excessively profitable for cigarette lobbies to join with vaping, because it's a way to encourage new smokers, so it's normal that there is lobby. But we are very firm on this, "said Christian Dubé.
A welcome measureThe announcement was quickly welcomed by stakeholders in favour of greater restriction of vaping products.
According to a study funded by Heart+stroke and conducted among Quebecers aged 16 to 24, they would start vaping before their15th birthday, do so six days a week and 31 times a day, on average. "More than a quarter of young people started smoking cigarettes after they started vaping because they are addicted to nicotine," said Kevin Bilodeau, director of government relations in Quebec for the organization.
Vapoteuse with peach, mango and guava flavour
As for the presence of flavours in vaping products, he adds that "nine out of ten young people mention that this is an important reason why they started vaping and the same number say it is an important factor to continue".
If Wednesday's announcement is "a step in the right direction" and "long overdue news," Dr. Nicholas Chadi, pediatrician and researcher specializing in adolescent medicine, believes that more will have to be done to fight the scourge of vaping among young Quebecers.
The industry in furyHowever, the industry sees things differently and says it fears an "unprecedented public health crisis" and the creation of a "new black market for vaping" as "hundreds of thousands of adult ex-smokers will be deprived of an effective [alternative] to cigarettes and will be tempted to start smoking again".
"The government of François Legault is showing unacceptable dogmatism and willful blindness! Prohibition, as we have seen with alcohol and cannabis, has never worked, "said the founding director of the Association of Representatives of the Vaping Industry, Daniel Marien.
The ban on flavours in vaping would result in the closure of the majority of the 480 specialty stores and the loss
of the majority of the 2200 jobs in Quebec.
- Vaping products that have a flavour or aroma other than tobacco will soon be banned in Quebec.
- The capacity of vape tanks and capsules will be limited to 2 ml and the maximum volume of vape liquid refill containers to 30 ml.
- Quebec also limits the nicotine concentration of vaping products to 20 milligrams per millilitre.
- Vapers will no longer be able to have an appearance that may be attractive to minors, such as the shape of a toy, jewelry, food, animal or a fictional or real character.
