NatPost reports: Federal 'legalization' of vaping, 'ban' not an option in Canada

[robvanhooren]

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/0...mons-health-committee-calls-for-legalization/

excerpt:

It’s time to bring e-cigarettes in from the cold and regulate the devices as unique products that might pose some dangers, but could also help smokers quit a lethal habit, MPs have recommended in a rare all-party consensus.

The House of Commons’ health committee calls in a new report for ending the legal grey zone that surrounds the technology in Canada and implementing a new set of rules that balances the benefits and risks of “vaping.”

The law should limit e-cigarette advertising, require they look different than tobacco cigarettes and limit their use in public places — but not unduly discourage adult smokers from trying them, says the unanimous report released this week.

“The idea of a ban is not really an option at all. They’re here,” said Ben Lobb, the Conservative MP who chairs the committee. “Most of the experts concluded that e-cigarettes are better for your health than tobacco cigarettes. If we’re looking at reducing harm to Canadians, that’s a good starting point.”




full report here

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/Committee/412/HESA/Reports/RP7862816/412_HESA_Rpt09_PDF/412_HESA_Rpt09-e.pdf

 

[Zurd]

Looks like they're finally acknowledging that ecigs is safer, was about time after all these years! Also looks like they're having a bit more common sense than before.

 

[retired1]

Moved to Media and General News

 

[DrMA]

to me it looks like the report states: we know these are harmless and help ppl quit smoking, but we should regulate (and tax) them the same as tobacco cigarettes

 

[jwbnyc]

to me it looks like the report states: we know these are harmless and help ppl quit smoking, but we should regulate (and tax) them the same as tobacco cigarettes

Yes.

My favorite bit was the There doesn't appear to be any harm from 2nd hand vapor but we should ban them in public spaces anyway blurb.

Really?

Just because?

So incredibly childish.

 

[caramel]

"It's a trap".

 

[sofarsogood]

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/0...mons-health-committee-calls-for-legalization/

The way this story reads the canadian governmenet has decided ecigs might be a good idea after all and they intend to legislate in that direction. It sounds too good to be true.






MOD NOTE: This thread merged into original discussion thread on this topic, started 3/13/15 (post #1 above)

 

[Ren76]

Why are you shocked?

 

[WillyZee]

they've already got the money spent they're going to hijack from vaping.

 

[edyle]

Why are you shocked?

The House of Commons’ health committee calls in a new report for ending the legal grey zone that surrounds the technology in Canada and implementing a new set of rules that balances the benefits and risks of “vaping.”

The law should limit e-cigarette advertising, require they look different than tobacco cigarettes and ban their use in public places — but not unduly discourage adult smokers from trying them, says the unanimous report released this week.

“The idea of a ban is not really an option at all. They’re here,” said Ben Lobb, the Conservative MP who chairs the committee. “Most of the experts concluded that e-cigarettes are better for your health than tobacco cigarettes. If we’re looking at reducing harm to Canadians, that’s a good starting point.”

Hearing anything out of politicians that sounds like common sense can be Shocking!

 

[caramel]

You have to check the British. Vaping areas in airports, vaping on some airlines, MPs vape in their offices etc.....

 

[DrMA]

The Canadian policy recommendation reads to me like they're gonna treat vaping like smoking in all but name. That means usage restrictions, taxes, ad bans, and perhaps flavor bans.

 

[caramel]

Yes and on top of it non nic to be treated exactly like nic.

 

[inspects]

I certainly wish some very renowned scientists would do some extensive studies on vaping to show its an amazing avenue to stop smoking cigarettes.

It common knowledge juice certainly doesn't contain the toxic cocktail of chemicals cigarettes provide, eventually leading to cancer and other serious health issues.

I find it very strange this hasn't occurred yet, with the media involved spreading the word people CAN stop smoking without worthless-expensive BP products involved, which in my opinion are worthless to the average individual trying to quit smoking. I've tried all over the counter and prescription options, NOTHING works like Vaping to allow even a 40-50 year smoker to basically stop smoking the same day they start Vaping.

This should be categorized as an amazing breakthrough, but its not being studied and documented (that I know of) to any high degree of relevance for the average smoker to study-read these findings.

 

[Skylare]

The idea of "taxes" kinda frightens me! Also what if they make it so you can only use the ones like "cigalikes" and have to purchase from the convenience stores like regular cigarette... >.<

 

[Tache]

This particular report actually seems to offer up cig-a-likes as a sacrifice to the renormalization chant of, "we don't want children to see anything that looks like smoking". This is a double edged sword in that many have an unsuccessful first introduction to vaping via cig-a-likes - but it opens the possibility to further exploration. On the other hand, cig-a-likes alone just don't "do the job" for many "pre-vapers".

 

[sofarsogood]

I think this is the most hopeful thing I've read attributed to any government. In my experience Canadians find it hard to resist proving they are smarter than us dumb Americans. Any two year old could sound smarter than Americans about e-cigs.

 

[caramel]

I think this is the most hopeful thing I've read attributed to any government. In my experience Canadians find it hard to resist proving they are smarter than us dumb Americans. Any two year old could sound smarter than Americans about e-cigs.

Don't worry, as Winston Churchill stated, you will eventually get it right. I'm more concerned about us

 

[Tache]

I do see this as encouraging. It is also exactly the time for vapers (particularly Canadians, but any vapers of any nationality to MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!). This is one of the first times I've noticed Canada taking a lead role. I fully expected them to wait and see what the US would do.

Tell the House of Commons which recommendations you support and which you don't - and why! Back it up with references to evidence based research. For example, I don't think they should accept or act on recommendation 11 - smokers and non-smokers alike need to see vapers both out and about and in pubs, clubs, vaping sections of restaurants - whatever! If in your own countries you can point to "quiet, polite Canada" as a voice of reason to be emulated, then make sure that what they adopt is what you want to see in your own country.

If one million vapers world-wide email the MPs in Canada they will be overwhelmed. Our total population is only a little over 35 million people. Please take this opportunity to make a difference.

Here is a link to the email addresses of the Members of Parliament of Canada.

Current Members of Parliament

 

[Woofer]

Just about to read the article and saw this
"E-cigarette ban ‘not an option’: Commons health committee calls for legalization"

How do you legalize something that is NOT ILLEGAL. Damn the press.