Meeting between Minister Saks and the Canadian Vaping Association – May 23, 2024

Subject(s)

The proposed Order Amending Schedules 2 and 3 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Flavours) 

Date

May 23, 2024

Participants

Minister’s Office

• The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
• Fara Shah, Director of Policy
• Julia Duncan, Senior Policy Advisor

Health Canada (HC)

• Kendal Weber, Assistant Deputy Minister, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch

Canadian Vaping Association (CVA)

• Samuel Tam, President
• Daniel David, Director
• Darryl Tempest, Government Relations Counsel

Introduction

A meeting was held at the request of the CVA to discuss the proposed Order Amending Schedules 2 and 3 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (Flavours). 

The Minister started the meeting with introductions.

The Minister read the transparency and disclosure statement. She reminded participants that this meeting is subject to disclosure as per HC’s Openness and Transparency policies. The handling of information and privacy notice was outlined and acknowledged. The Minister also referred to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), its international obligation to protect tobacco control policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. It was acknowledged by participants.

Subjects

The CVA covered the following topics in the meeting:

• Health Canada’s proposed restrictions on flavoured vaping products;
• illegal vaping products; and
• compliance and enforcement.

The CVA noted concerns with the proposed regulations restricting vaping flavours to mint, menthol and tobacco. They shared a document entitled “Comprehensive Evidence Supporting Vaping Flavours for Harm Reduction”. The CVA noted the government already has in place a number of restrictions on vaping promotion. They noted challenges faced in Atlantic Canada and Quebec with recent flavour bans. 

The CVA noted concerns with the illegal market. Examples of such products were presented. They outlined measures they take to restrict sales to minors and the testing of samples they undertake to ensure compliance with regulations.

They noted that vaping is less harmful than smoking and referenced research that shows vaping is more effective than nicotine replacement therapies for cessation. The CVA noted that mental health is why youth experiment with vaping and that parents do not have the right skills to talk about vaping with their children.

The CVA noted the need for governments to strengthen compliance and enforcement. It was noted by the CVA that penalties for vaping non-compliance are low, including sales to youth.

It was noted by the CVA that of the 1.5 million people who vape, 95% rely on flavours. They indicated that if 90% of the products disappear, people who vape will look for alternatives such as buying flavour liquids to add to nicotine; turning to online illegal sales; or returning to smoking. Finally, the CVA noted that high excise taxes will drive people who vape to the illegal market.

Conclusion

The meeting was then concluded.

Documents

• Agenda as provided by the CVA
• Comprehensive Evidence Supporting Vaping Flavours for Harm Reduction