It’s time Ottawa inhales the truth about vaping

Re: Ottawa un-cool about teenage rage of vaping — May 22

It was disheartening to see the Liberals, in their just-passed bill Tobacco Act Amendment S-5, make vaping far less accessible to people wanting to move away from tobacco smoking.

Equating vaping with smoking is itself problematic, as vaping does not use tobacco and does not use any combustible material. It’s widely accepted to be far less harmful for the user. There also appears to be reduced external risks as the vapour dissipates within seconds.

Unlike tobacco, which contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are known to be harmful, vape “juice” contains only food-grade vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol (used medically in asthma inhalers), and food-grade flavourings. Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, may or may not be added.

We already have effective regulations that limit access to children although, like cigarettes, of course some will still find a way. This doesn’t negate the fact that nearly all vapers are indeed former smokers.

By preventing vape stores from educating consumers about their products, having a variety of flavours available, and allowing them to sample them, current smokers would likely be less inclined to make the change.

Education is very important with vaping as there can be a steep safety learning curve for new users. By preventing customers from viewing or even handling them before purchase, many potential users will likely not make the switch.

The arguments that candylike flavours available only to attract children to vaping, or that it can be a gateway to cigarette use, don’t even make logical sense, and don’t appear to be backed by any reputable facts.

Michael Fox

Kitchener