The Canadian Lung Association applauds today’s announcement of new regulations that would help protect youth from exposure to e-cigarette advertising and promotion.
Youth vaping rates have doubled in the past year, leaving a new generation potentially addicted to nicotine. The changes announced today would ban the promotion of vaping products anywhere youth or children can view or hear them.
“This is a critical step to reducing vaping rates among youth. We have a youth vaping epidemic and these regulatory changes will prevent more youth from being exposed to enticing advertising and – ultimately – from vaping” says Terry Dean, president and CEO of the Canadian Lung Association.
“Limiting promotion and advertising is a strategy that has worked with tobacco and we know it can work with vaping.”
Currently, Canada has a patchwork of protections in place to prevent youth vaping but these changes will provide a national, consistent baseline of protection from advertising across the country.
“We applaud Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu for these changes. Advertising and promotion is a powerful tool to entice young people and attract new users, Dean continues, adding:
“While today’s announcement is a critical first step, there is more that needs to be done.”
Flavours remain a powerful marketing tool that is not addressed by today’s regulatory changes. There are currently more than 7,000 flavours available, including many that target youth. A comprehensive flavour ban is needed to further protect young people.
In addition, Canada must address the exceedingly high levels of nicotine, which are currently allowed in vaping products. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that has the potential to introduce users to cigarettes and a life-long addiction. We would like to see Canada follow other jurisdictions by implementing a maximum nicotine level of 20mg/ml.
“As today’s reality shows us, respiratory health is nothing to be gambled with and we are happy to see Minister Hajdu is taking the right steps in making lung health a priority.”
To find more information about vaping and protecting your youth from the danger of kid-friendly flavours, visit www.lung.ca/vaping.
