Group will answer questions about vaping at
their booth across from Parliament Hill on Wednesday
TORONTO, May 6, 2024
/CNW/ - In a move that will result in a public health crisis for
Canada, Minister of Health,
Mark Holland, announced in March
that he plans push through the regulations announced three years
ago to ban all flavours of vapour products, except mint,
menthol and tobacco. However, Canadians who vape and their allies
have made it clear that this is unacceptable.
"If the flavour ban goes through. We can guarantee a few things.
Flavours will continue to be available in Canada. They won't be regulated, safe or
taxed. Many of those who vape will find a way, as the alternative
is likely the resumption of inhaling toxic cigarette smoke. The
criminals operating the vaping black market will prosper. People
who smoke but could have found vaping a viable alternative will
continue smoking and dying," Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for
Rights4Vapers, Canada's largest
vapers rights movement.
Rights4Vapers has provided people who vape a way to have their
voices heard. Canadians who oppose the flavour ban can go to
www.rights4vapers.com to send a letter to their MP as well as
Ministers Holland and Saks. The group will be across from
Parliament Hill on Wednesday May 8 to
answer questions about vaping. Everyone is invited.
"Close to 30,000 Canadians have sent a letter to Ministers
Holland and Saks to tell them that flavours matter," said Ms.
Papaioannoy. "And we are not done. Minister Holland will have no
choice but to listen to us."
It has been three years since Health Canada published the
initial flavour ban regulations in Canada Gazette 1. Over 20,000 Canadians
participated in the public consultation and opposed the ban. As a
results, Health Canada did not move forward with the regulations.
To revive them three years later is an abuse of the process.
Much has changed in Canada,
including the flavour ban fiasco in Quebec. In October
2023, the Quebec government
banned all flavours in the province without any plans for
enforcement. Today, anyone, including minors can buy flavoured
vapour products on the black market.
"At the very least, Health Canada should have had another public
consultation. All they did was invite representative of the
industry for Zoom meetings. Rights4Vapers was the ONLY
representative of Canadians who vape. It was a disgrace," said Ms.
Papaioannoy.
Flavours matter to adults who vape. Flavours help people who
smoke switch to vaping.
EVENT INFORMATION
WHAT: ASK US ABOUT VAPING
WHEN: May 8 from 11 a.m.
– 3 p.m.
WHERE: 90 Wellington
(corner Metcalfe)
SOURCE Rights4Vapers