This site is intended for adults 19 years and older. If you are not legally able to purchase tobacco products in your province, please do not enter this site.

Please select your birthdate to confirm you are at least 19 years of age.

Exit

Category: Canada Vapes Info

Welcome to your free Canadian Vaping Information Portal

Welcome to the Canada Vapes Info Blog – your ultimate resource for comprehensive vaping information in Canada. Whether you’re a seasoned vaper or just starting your journey, our blog category is here to provide you with expert insights, valuable tips, and the latest updates on everything related to vaping in the Great White North.

In a rapidly evolving landscape, staying informed about vaping trends, regulations, and products is crucial. Our Canada Vapes Info Blog is dedicated to keeping you up-to-date with the most relevant and timely information. Our team of experts carefully curates content that covers a wide range of topics, from the latest vaping technologies to changes in Canadian vaping regulations. We understand that navigating the world of vaping can be complex, which is why we’re committed to offering clear and concise explanations to help you make informed decisions.

  • Canada to Regulate E-Cigarettes; Recommendations from the Standing Committee on Health

    Canada to Regulate E-Cigarettes; Recommendations from the Standing Committee on Health

    This March the Standing Committee of Health produced a report outlining recommendations for the regulation of E-cigarettes based off of evidence collected from eight meetings with a total of thirty-three witnesses, including government officials, health officials, manufacturers, and users of the devices.  Overall  it looks hopeful, and potentially  good news for vapers in Canada.  You can read the full report here.

    The Good:

    • Recommendation 1: That the Government of Canada financially supports research on the health effects of E-cigs (potential risks and benefits), and their impact on the uptake of nicotine products by youth and on other tobacco control efforts (renormalization and potential gateway effects).  We feel that this is good because currently the claims against e-cigarettes are not supported by evidence, and conducting research is more likely to dispel disparaging attitudes than create new ones.
    • Recommendation 2: That the Government of Canada works with all affected stakeholders to establish a new legislative framework for regulating electronic cigarettes.  This is awesome because it means that they will not be regulated as tobacco, or medical products (won’t be required to have a prescription to obtain a vape etc).
    • Recommendation 7: Establish standards relating to the safety of all components of electronic cigarettes, and also require manufacturers and importers of electronic cigarettes to disclose information relating to ingredients.   We feel  that it’s important for consumers to have full disclosure.
    • Recommendation 8:  Require electronic cigarette components be sold in child resistant packaging, and that all packaging clearly and accurately indicate the concentration of nicotine and contain appropriate safety warnings about the product.  This recommendation makes sense, and would certainly improve the safety of vaping.
    • Recommendation 9: Prohibit electronic cigarette manufacturers from making unproven health claims.    We couldn’t agree with this more!
    • Recommendation 10: Prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes or other electronic nicotine delivery systems to person under the age of 18.  Most retailers are already enforcing this rule, ourselves included.

    The Bad:

    • Recommendation 5: Electronic Cigarettes be required to be visually distinct from other tobacco products (ie not look like a cigarette, like our e-dart).   This recommendation is based off of the fear that vaping may re-normalize tobacco use, and as outlined in recommendation 1 there currently is not enough evidence to support the claim. 
    • Recommendation 6: Establish maximum levels of nicotine contained in electronic cigarette liquid or vapour.   This could pose unnecessary limitations on consumers , as the amount of nicotine considered to be safe in e-liquid is well over the amount currently found in even the highest concentrations available.

    The Ugly:

    • Recommendation 11: Prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems in federally regulated public spaces.  This would prohibit vaping in bars, restaurants, and other places that may want to cater to vapers. 
    • Recommendation 12: Restrictions for advertising and promotional activities for these products.  This recommendation greatly imposes on businesses and consumers ability to connect with appropriate harm reduction devices. 
    • Recommendation 14: Prohibit the use of flavourings in electronic cigarette liquids that are specifically designed to appeal to youth, such as candy flavourings.  This recommendation comes from the baseless idea that youth, whom are mostly mimicking adult behaviors when they engage in smoking may be drawn to vaping because of candy flavours.  A large amount of vapers prefer sweet and fruity flavours, and this would pose unnecessary restrictions on them.
      Overall the recommendations to regulate e-cigarettes are very reasonable, other than the few that lack supporting evidence to warrant their creation (in their current forms).  While some of the recommendations are not favourable  we feel positive that if The Canadian Government continues to work with all stakeholders and pays close attention to research coming forward in support of vaping we will have a world class regulatory system.
  • Ontario Government to Restrict E-cigarette Sales

    Ontario Government to Restrict E-cigarette Sales

    In a surprising fast action by the Ontario government, they are planning on implementing a bill to restrict the use of electronic cigarettes and treat them similarly to tobacco cigarettes.

    This law which was introduced today (Monday, November 24th) will ban anyone under the age of 19 from purchasing electronic cigarettes in Ontario.  It will also ban e-cigarette from being used in any area where tobacco cigarettes are already prohibited.

    The new addition to the ‘smoke free Ontario’ legislation is trying to add

    • The removal of all flavoured tobacco cigarettes, cigars, etc.
    • The removal of all menthol tobacco products
    • Beefing up enforcement — Increasing fines and penalties to the highest of any province in Canada
    • New legislation of e-cigarettes “We know they appeal to young people because they are cheaper and easily available”
    • “Treat e-cigarettes the same way we treat tobacco cigarettes”
    • Prohibit the sales of e-cigarettes  to anyone under the age of 19
    • Prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in places where the use of cigarettes is prohibited.
    • Ban the sale of e-cigarettes in places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited
    • Prohibit the promotion of e-cigarettes in places where tobacco cigarettes are sold.

    This is a pretty significant deal for all e-cigarette users.  Please read through all of the amendments specifically regarding e-cigarettes.

    Ban the sale of e-cigarettes in places where the sale of tobacco is prohibited

    This literally means that only variety stores, gas stations, and places who can legally sell tobacco cigarettes would be able to sell e-cigarettes.  No more small business retail stores anywhere.  No more ordering online anywhere.  No more competition on pricing, creation of unique and custom flavours, etc.  In the same way that the government regulates (and taxes) tobacco cigarettes, expect identical taxing and regulation of e-cigarettes sold in these establishments.

    No mention of ‘Nicotine’ vs. “No Nicotine” e-cigarettes

    This bill is effectively attacking the actual electronic device called the e-cigarette.  Even marijuana smokers know that the accessories used — Bongs, pipes, etc. are not subject to government scrutiny, yet they are blanketing and lumping all e-cigarettes into the same policy, effectively banning and restricting them all.

    Removal of all flavoured e-liquid

    By lumping e-cigarettes together with cigarettes, they are now able to effectively ban all flavourd e-liquid.  No more RY4, menthol, cinnamon, apple, peach, etc. e-liquid.  You will be limited to tobacco flavours only.  This is s significant impact on vapers across Ontario, as the majority of ex-smokers who are current vapors prefer non-tobacco flavours.

    Severely limiting the paces one can Vape (use an e-cigarette)

    By placing e-cigarette together with tobacco cigarettes in the smoke free Ontario act, you will now not be able to vape anywhere where you cannot use a tobacco cigarette.  This includes:

    • Child Care facilities
    • Mother Vehicles driven with anyone under 16
    • Enclosed workplaces — At all times even when not open for business
    • Smoking Shelters — No more then 2 walls and a roof
    • Areas where health care workers are present
    • Hopsitals
    • Common areas of hotels, motels, and inns
    • Multi-unit residences

    We know they appeal to young people because they are cheaper and easily available

    In my opinion, this is just setting the ‘defense’ statement for the Ontario government, in a shroud to attempt to justify their actions.  The protection of children, who could argue with this?  In their statements, they make absolutely no notice on the benefits e-cigarettes have had, and currently have on current smokers unable to quit, offering an alternative to smoking.  They make no mention of the potential to save MILLIONS OF LIVES as stated by the World Health Organization.  “These products could be among the most significant health innovations of the 21st century — perhaps saving hundreds of millions of lives. The urge to control and suppress them as tobacco products should be resisted,” the experts wrote.”  This is the real reason for e-cigarette development and use.  No one wants non smokers to use e-cigarettes.  No one wants children to use e-cigarettes.  Any regulation specifically toward this would be appreciated by the community, but most of their policy changes go away from ‘protecting children’ towards ‘destroying the rights of Ontario’s vapers’.

    Should you like to support the cause of protesting Bill 45, please visit your local Vape shop to sign a petition that will be presented at the next reading of the bill.

  • Nova Scotia proposes province wide e-cigarette legislation

    Nova Scotia proposes province wide e-cigarette legislation

    Nova Scotia Proposes province wide e-cigarette legislation

    The new proposed legislation will proses aggressive restrictions against electronic cigarettes province-wide.  These potential relations would include:

    • Restrictions of selling e-cigarettes to those 19+
    • No displaying e-cigarettes on stores
    • No advertising e-cigarettes
    • Ban the use of e-cigarettes indoors
    • Ban any ‘flavorings’ added to e-liquid, except menthol

    Health Minister Leo Glavine stated that the government wants to change the definition of smoke to include water pipes and vapour from e-cigarettes.  He stated that steps are needed to address emerging evidence that e-cigarettes pose a health risk, especially to young people.  What this evidence is was not clearly defined.   There are at least 200 studies showing e-cigarettes as successful harm reduction products.

    Those opposed, including imperial tobacco state that the province of Nova Scotia is making a ‘big mistake’ by regulating e-cigarettes lumped together with tobacco cigarettes.

    Want to do something about this?

    Click Here to sign the petition

    We need e-cigarette users from Across Canada to ban together in an attempt to let our government know that we do not want our choices away from us.  Banning flavoured e-liquid would effectively reduce the choices for Nova Scotia vapers to no flavour and menthol.

  • Two major bans of e-cigarettes in Canada.

    Two major bans of e-cigarettes in Canada.

    Over the course of the last two weeks there have been two different city bans imposed on electronic cigarettes in Canada.

    Vancouver bans e-cigarettes in ‘public spaces’

    The first took place last week in Vancouver, where city councilors voted unanimously to ban e-cigarettes in public spaces, as well as banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

    Stepping right up with their 2 cents was the heart and stroke foundation, who’s senior health policy analyst Lesliy James stated:

    “We are asking all levels of government, federal, provincial and municipal to act quickly to adopt regulations to protect Canadians similar to what Vancouver has done,”

    Their entire ruling was based on the ‘we don’t know enough about them’ argument that many politicians state as their excuse/reasoning for the bans.

    Winnipeg Bans e-cigarette uses on schools in the Winnipeg school division.

    On Monday, the vote was unanimous between trustees in the Winnipeg school division to ban e-cigarette use across their school system.

    E-Cigarette user at Winnipeg School

    “No smoking is allowed, period, in any device, in any form whatsoever,” stated Ramos

    This is likely the first few in the beginning of regulations that will be imposed by different municipalities across Canada in the upcoming weeks and months.  Since the Federal government continues to sit patiently on the fence, each municipality is setting rules and regulations for e-cigarettes across Canada.

     

  • Vapecan 2014 office trip

    Vapecan 2014 office trip

    CanadaVapes.com’s Annual staff trip to VapeCan

    As many of our regular customers know, we went on an office trip to this year’s Vapecan annual e-cigarette convention in Toronto, Ontario.

    Josh Trying something new
    Josh Trying something new

    Although a few staff members could not attend, my wife Sandi and I managed to have a full vehicle to drive down to Toronto from our office in London.  Overall we had a great time, with plenty of laughs and a great team building experience.  We listened to lots of fun 90’s music on the drive!

    The conference was at the Holiday Inn, right by the highway, and close to the Airport.  We could not believe how much vapor was in the air, and to be honest, it smelled pretty funky.  A giant mix of hundreds and hundreds of flavours filled the air.  The conference was very busy and pretty jam packed.  We were told that next year they would be looking at a bigger area to handle all of the demand.

    Overall, the general feel we had was that of e-liquid being the primary focus for most companies.  Everyone had their own unique blends, and while many were decent, many were not.  What we found to be the trend was the ‘super flavour explosion’ e-liquid, that overwhelmingly touches every inch of your palate.  While these e-liquids typically taste great on their first few drags, often they can quickly become overpowering and, frankly, a bit much.

    All that said, we have been inspired to start experimenting a little more on custom blends of flavours, as opposed to just traditional single flavours.  We will find the right mix between enough flavour and not an overpowering sensation and will be launching several new custom, unique e-liquid flavours over the upcoming months.

    If you have any suggestions for flavour combinations for us to try, please contact us anytime!

  • Toronto board of health to review a ban on electronic cigarettes

    Toronto board of health to review a ban on electronic cigarettes

    Toronto Board of Health meeting to discuss banning electronic cigarettes

    The Toronto Board of Health is convening a meeting to deliberate on a potential municipal ban on electronic cigarettes, equating them with traditional cigarettes. This implies that vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes could be prohibited in public parks, bars, restaurants, and any other places where traditional tobacco cigarettes are currently banned across the greater Toronto area.

    Proposed Restrictions on E-cigarettes

    The Board is also considering a proposal to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarette products and prohibit e-cigarette displays in stores.

    Moreover, the Board is contemplating banning the use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces, Toronto School boards, universities, colleges, and hospitals, urging these institutions to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes both indoors and outdoors on their premises. They plan to reach out to the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, and the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, suggesting they implement similar practices. The Parks and Environment Committee will also be approached with this suggestion.

    Justifications for the Proposed Actions

    The Board’s potential actions are justified on two grounds.

    Firstly, they argue that there is insufficient research on the risk of second-hand vapor, citing potential health risks associated with it.

    Secondly, they express concern that e-cigarettes could be perceived as a gateway to tobacco cigarettes, leading to a ‘normalization of smoking’ after years of efforts to render tobacco cigarettes obsolete.

    Toronto Board of Health meeting to discuss banning electronic cigarettes

    Counterarguments and Criticisms

    Critics argue that the Board is overlooking the significant positive outcomes already achieved by ex-tobacco smokers who have successfully transitioned to electronic cigarettes. They point out that mint-flavored nicotine gum has never been suggested as a potential gateway to tobacco cigarettes, and assert that electronic cigarettes are fundamentally different from tobacco cigarettes. This is evidenced by the fact that many ex-smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes find that they no longer enjoy the taste and feel of tobacco cigarettes.

    Critics also question the Board’s contradictory stance of implying that scientific evidence suggests e-cigarettes could be a gateway to tobacco cigarettes, while simultaneously citing a lack of scientific evidence regarding second-hand vapor as a reason to ban e-cigarettes.

    A Call for Regulation Over Prohibition

    Critics suggest that a more productive approach would be for the government to regulate the manufacturing of these products, rather than imposing a ban based on insufficient scientific evidence. They advocate for requirements such as labels, child-proof lids, warnings, and information to be mandated for all vendors of e-cigarettes, arguing that this would be a more effective governmental ruling compared to pulling them off shelves and banning them publicly.

  • Doctor Reports “Using electronic cigarettes as dangerous as fruits, vegetables and fish”

    Doctor Reports “Using electronic cigarettes as dangerous as fruits, vegetables and fish”

    E-cigarettes: As Harmless as Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish?

    In a recent interview featured on a European News video on Youtube, Dr. Phillip Prelle, a staunch supporter of e-cigarettes, made some noteworthy statements.

    The Elimination of Tobacco’s Big Three Poisons

    Dr. Prelle pointed out that e-cigarettes have successfully eliminated the three major poisons found in tobacco: tar, carbon monoxide, and fine particles. These substances are known to lead to serious health issues such as cancer, heart attacks, and chronic bronchitis.

    The Ridiculousness of Danger Queries

    He expressed his disbelief at the frequent queries about the potential dangers of e-cigarettes. According to him, such concerns are unfounded and ridiculous.

    The Comparative Danger Spectrum

    Dr. Prelle proposed a comparative danger spectrum. If tobacco is placed at the extreme left, followed by alcohol, fat products, and sugar products, then e-cigarettes would be positioned next to fruits, vegetables, and fish. He emphasized that the dangers posed by e-cigarettes are very minimal.

    The Level of Danger

    He further explained that the level of danger associated with e-cigarettes is comparable to the risks of consuming vegetables with pesticides or fish with heavy metals. This is the level of danger we are dealing with when it comes to e-cigarettes.

    Electronic cigarettes are as dangerous as fruits, vegetables, and fish.

    The Regulatory Discussions in the EU

    There are ongoing discussions in the EU regarding the regulations for electronic cigarettes. There is pressure from big tobacco and pharmaceutical companies to categorize e-cigarettes along with tobacco cigarettes. The implications of such a move on the e-cigarette marketplace in Europe are being debated.

  • Cool Interview with Original Inventor of E-cigarettes – Herbert Gilbert

    Cool Interview with Original Inventor of E-cigarettes – Herbert Gilbert

    Many believe the original inventor of the e-cigarette was Herbert Gilbert back in the 1960’s.

    I was able to find a really cool back and forth interview with Herbert, discussing e-cigarettes, his design and ideas, as well as his thoughts on the future of e-cigarettes.

    Many thanks to James Dunworth for this interview.

    JD: Herbert, What was your background prior to inventing the e-cigarette?

    HG: I graduated college with a B.A. in business and then went directly into the service. I am a Korean veteran. My father had a scrap yard in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and that is where I went to work. I am just your normal, average logical guy and the “logic” is my best asset.

    JD: Were you a smoker yourself?

    HG: Sure was…a 2 pack a day for years…stopped cold turkey about 20 years ago.

    The First Electronic Cigarette

    Image showing a short article on the original patent application.

    JD: What gave you the idea for your design?

    HG: I’m a logical guy and logic told me to define the problem and then develop a solution. the problem, as I concluded, was that when you burned leaves and wood, even if you did it in your back yard, it yielded a result that no one wanted to take into their lungs.

    For example, you can chew lettuce leaves…they are good for you and cinnamon is like tree bark and it doesn’t hurt you…but…if you dried them out, ground them up and mixed them together, put them in a big paper bag and set it on fire, the result would be nothing you would want going into your lungs. To put it as simply as possible, the problem could not occur if there was no combustion. Eureka!

    I had to find a way to put out the fire. wait…they used fire in my aunt’s bakery to make bread and cookies from flour…so what was different? They didn’t burn it they cooked it and the aroma was a treat. Nobody screamed, “the oven is on fire! lie on the floor and crawl outside.” At this point I happened to remember how tea is brewed. That solved the problem. Using logic I had to find a way to replace burning tobacco and paper with heated, moist, flavored air.

    Design, Prototypes and Production

    Image showing how the electronic cigarette would work.

    JD:  Was a prototype ever built?

    HG: Using the technology available in 1963 I concluded that a battery powered heat source would do the job and the first electric cigarette was born. I did build prototypes and tried using various flavors of water as steam … and it worked.

    JD: Are there any surviving prototypes?

    HG: Unfortunately the warehouse at the scrap yard in Beaver Falls, where most of my stuff was stored, burned down. I don’t have any…but someone may come out of the woodwork with one when Emperor Brands 1963 Original starts advertising.

    JD: How does your design differ from the current electronic cigarette?

    HG: There is no electric cigarette today, that I have seen, that does not follow the basic road map set forth in my original patent. If you remove any part shown in my original patent from their electric cigarette it will not function. It may be positioned differently, sized differently, controlled differently…but…it still follows the road map set forth in my patent drawings.

    JD: Why wasn’t the design put into production?

    HG: Those I showed it to could have done it but they chose to wait for the patent to expire and then filed their own versions. I showed it to chemical companies, pharmaceutical companies and tobacco companies and they did what they did to try to protect their markets. I am sure that many great inventions that could have benefited people, in the past and even today, receive the same treatment. As John Cameron pointed out to me, timing can be everything and I was ahead of my time, and in the midst of what some might say was the most powerful advertising period of big tobacco.

    JD: There’s evidence that Big Tobacco deliberately suppressed healthy alternatives, as producing and marketing these would have meant admitting that smoking was unhealthy. Are you saying that is the case here?

    HG: I merely reported what happened to me and to my patent fifty years ago. As for now, with major tobacco companies becoming more and more involved with their own electric cigarette brands, logic tells me it is not happening now, nor will it happen in the future.

    Herbet Gilbert’s E-Cigarette v. The Modern E-Cigarette

    Herbert A Gilbert e-cigarette in hand.

    JD: In your opinion, would a device which produced tobacco flavored air have been as effective as one which produces vapor?

    HG: No. A major part of the tobacco smokers addiction is said to be the tactile / physical aspect, (the other part is the chemical addiction). Therefore in my opinion, without the visual effect of vapour, which makes the “addict” think of their usual “smoke”, I doubt it would work nearly as effectively. Further, I am willing to wager that referring to steam as vapor is even older than I am…so feel free think of my flavored, medicated, water steam as vapor because that is how logic dictates i view this question.

    Again read the patent application which provides for, “inhaling warm medication into the lungs in case of a respiratory ailment under direction of a physician.” You will find this, in writing, at the end of the first paragraph. There is no difference because my electric cigarette by any other name is still my “smokeless non-tobacco cigarette”, which happens to be the title of my application.

    JD: How did you feel when the electronic cigarettes began to take the world by storm?

    HG: Read my statement on the Emperor web site under history”.

    JD: Do you see Ruyan e-cigarette invented by Hon Lik as an evolution of the one you designed, or a product that took a completely different direction?

    HG: If it walks like a duck, has web feet, has a bill, swims in the water, looks like a duck and quacks….its a duck.

    Restrictions on Electronic Cigarettes

    JD: What are your thoughts on moves by governments and anti-smoking organizations to restrict or forbid the sale of electronic cigarettes?

    HG: Logic again tells me that it is a combination of a lack of education/understanding and fear of what they consider the unknown. from my point of view it is a simple question: “Are you kidding?”

    To my knowledge nothing has stemmed the increase of the number of tobacco smokers, not legislation, special packaging and warnings nor death. I believe that my invention is the first chance we have to do so. Prove me wrong. In my opinion, legislators should be doing all they can to help with this solution, including proving it works. Government needs to help with the solution. Once they understand that what is delivered can be completely controlled so that anything bad can be, has been, and if identified as bad, will be removed then, rather than fight it, they will encourage it as a total replacement for cigarettes and some types of medications.

    Herbert Gilbert Today

    Photograph of Herbert A Gilbert today

    JD: How did you become involved in Emperor Brands?

    HG: The best answer for this is covered on the emperor brands web site again under “history”. John David Cameron, of Emperor Brands, is the gentleman who searched me out and recruited me.

    JD: What’s your role there, and how are you helping to develop the 1963 electronic cigarette?

    HG: I worked with his team members and used logic to follow my roadmap and apply 21st century available technology to it. I will continue to do whatever I can to keep updating the technology and will remain devoted to promoting the 1963’s. Emperor Brand’s goal and my goal are the same. We want to save as many lives as we can.

    JD: Where do you see electronic cigarettes going in the future?

    HG: I believe there is no question about the future of electric cigarettes. As knowledge grows, and it will, so will the market and I am proud to be the one who started it all.

     

  • E-cigarettes could save hundreds of millions of lives, scientists tell WHO

    E-cigarettes could save hundreds of millions of lives, scientists tell WHO

    Health authorities continue to view e-cigarettes as a threat, but experts cite potential for harm reduction

    More than 50 public health experts and nicotine experts, including five Canadians, are urging the World Health Organization not to classify e-cigarettes as tobacco products, because they say doing so could jeopardize a “significant health innovation” that could save hundreds of millions of lives. In an open letter to WHO Director General Margaret Chan, the scientists from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia argue e-cigarettes are “part of the solution” in the fight against smoking. “These products could be among the most significant health innovations of the 21st century – perhaps saving hundreds of millions of lives. The urge to control and suppress them as tobacco products should be resisted,” the experts wrote. The UN health agency seems to view e-cigarettes as a “threat” that should be classified like regular cigarettes, according to leaked documents from a meeting last November. David Sweanor, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, who works on tobacco control, is one of the signatories. Shai Connors uses an e-cigaretteA move to classify e-cigarettes alongside regular cigarettes would push countries to take similar tough measures to restrict demand, such as through higher taxes. (CBC) “We’re here to try to get rid of cigarettes, we’re here to try to make cigarettes obsolete and we have the potential with technology to start to do that, and that would be one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve ever had in public health,” Sweanor said in an interview. Sweanor and the other writers refer to “tobacco harm reduction” – the idea that 1.3 billion people worldwide who smoke could do much less harm to their health if they consumed nicotine in a low-risk, non-combustible form, given that the majority of harmful effects attributed to tobacco arises from tar and toxic gases drawn into the lungs. In response to the letter, Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: “The overall impact of e-cigarette use on public health is currently unclear. While they could prove to be an important tool to help people stop smoking, the unregulated status of e-cigarettes is problematic.” So far, research shows overwhelmingly that e-cigarettes are used by people who want to quit smoking, Sweanor said. There’s little evidence e-cigarettes are used by young people to start smoking, although that is a risk, he said.

    Threat to anti-smoking progress?

    Nova Scotia plans to introduce legislation in the fall to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to those under the age of 19. “We don’t want to see e-cigarette and flavoured tobacco juice again seeing smoking increase in our province,” said Leo Glavine, Nova Scotia’s health minister. “We’ve had too many gains in a province that has high cancer rates and death strongly associated with smoking.” Health Canada continues to advise against the use of e-cigarettes. “Currently, the advertisement and sale of electronic cigarette products, including e-liquid, that contain nicotine and/or have health claims is non-compliant with the Food and Drugs Act., and is therefore illegal,” a spokesman for Health Canada said in an email. “To date there is not sufficient evidence that the potential benefits of e-cigarettes in helping Canadians to quit smoking outweigh the potential risks. A company would have to provide evidence of safety, quality and effectiveness in order to have its product authorized. Without this scientific evidence, Health Canada continues to advise Canadians, especially youth, against the use of these products.” Health Canada has sent cease and desist orders to sellers of e-cigarettes, mostly because people have been making health claims, said Tony Carver, owner of Evape Electronic Cigarette in Newmarket, Ont. Carver said the scientists’ letter gives him hope. “I think that is the best news I have ever heard for the electronic cigarette, business it answers a lot of the misinformation that there is out there.” The writers of the letter say they wanted to get their message out now given that the WHO is set to review its tobacco recommendations in Moscow from Oct. 13 to 18. With files from CBC’s Pauline Dakin, Melanie Glanz and Reuters
  • American Medical Association updates view on E-cigarettes

    American Medical Association updates view on E-cigarettes

    AMA’s Updated Stance on E-cigarettes

    The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed its support for an FDA proposal aimed at bridging the gap in federal regulations concerning the purchase, labeling, packaging, and advertising of electronic cigarettes. This was announced by the incoming AMA President, Dr. Robert M. Wah. He emphasized that this new policy will steer the AMA’s future endeavors to robustly advocate for the proposed FDA regulation, a significant step towards enhancing public health and preventing the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

    AMA’s Policy on E-cigarettes and Nicotine Delivery Systems

    The new policy introduced by the AMA, in addition to enforcing minimum age restrictions for purchases, advocates for the following product requirements for electronic cigarettes and nicotine delivery systems:

    • Transparency in the design, content, and emissions;
    • Safety measures such as child-proof and tamper-proof packaging and design;
    • Improved product labeling;
    • Restrictions on flavors that are attractive to minors; and
    • Prohibition of unsupported marketing claims promoting these products as a tool for tobacco cessation.

    The AMA is also actively encouraging the development of strategies to prevent the marketing of electronic cigarettes and nicotine delivery systems to minors and to mitigate the adverse health effects of nicotine on minors.

    AMA’s Commitment to Public Health

    Dr. Wah reiterated that the AMA’s top priority is to enhance the health of the nation. The association will persist in advocating for policies that help alleviate the burden of preventable diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, both of which can be associated with smoking.

    About the AMA

    The American Medical Association is a leading national organization. It is committed to empowering the nation’s physicians to consistently deliver safer, higher quality, and more efficient care to patients and communities. For over 165 years, the AMA has remained steadfast in its commitment to leverage its unique position and knowledge to shape a healthier future for America.