Tighter rules possible for proposed e-cigarette laws in Manitoba

OUR Two cents:

This article shows the ignorance of the government.  With no scientific evidence supporting any connection between flavours and increased use, increased youth use, or any negatively correlated data, the government has chosen to attempt to ban any ‘flavours’ for e-cigarettes.  Using the internal data from our customers we have collected over the last 6 years, it’s easy to understand that adults enjoy sweet, candy, and deliciously flavoured items.  The idea of cotton candy, peppermint or strawberry-flavoured e-liquid simply means that adults enjoy these flavours.

You need to look no further than the LCBO’s website (for the record, during our research, when logging in there was no notice that you needed to be of legal age to view the content inside, which includes photos and descriptions all of the beer, spirits, and coolers they sell) and check out these delicious “adult flavoured” items:  Kiwi Mango coolers, sinful cherry liquor, and Salted caramel cream wine, just to name a few.  Check out these descriptions:  “aromas of cooked cherry, dried berries, vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon” and “aromas similar to vanilla Girl Guide cookies; dense, sweet, creamy vanilla flavours with a hint of caramel.”  “chocolate brownie aroma” just to name a few.  Adults enjoy creamy, sweet, candy and dessert flavours just as much as children.

The prohibition of sales to minors is a great step and necessary.  This regulation is actually already taking place in the vast majority of vape shops, even without the government’s regulations.  Vape shop owners want to do the right thing, and they want to be regulated; as long as the regulation allows for its customers to enjoy the freedom of choice when vaping, and allows their business to operate in a way to allow this to happen.  Hopefully, the amendments in these regulations will allow for this to take place.  If not, regulations like this will cripple and kill the majority of vape shops in Manitoba, and make it much more difficult for smokers looking for a safer alternative to cigarettes to find their way to vaping.

-Howie[divider][/divider]

Earlier this year, the Manitoba Legislature introduced a proposed e-cigarette laws in Manitoba change to Bill 30 that would see restrictions in place for e-cigarettes and vapour products.

The legislation would prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, restrict product advertising and promotion and ban their use in most indoor places.

“It’s a really good step in the right direction,” said Tracy Fehr, Tobacco Reduction Coordinator at the Manitoba Lung Association. “What we would like to see at some point for it to go a bit further.”

At a special committee meeting with the province on Wednesday, the Manitoba Lung Association called for four changes to the bill that would make tighter restrictions:

• Prohibit the sale of flavoured e-cigarettes
• Regulate e-cigarettes containing nicotine in the way nicotine replacement products are managed
• Ban the use of e-cigarettes in all indoor public spaces including vape shops and casinos
• Conduct studies into the short and long-term effects of e-cigarettes

The proposed amendments come with a mixed reaction from Winnipeg business owners.

“I think it’s important that people can have a place where they can vape indoors,” said Daniel Lofchick, co-owner of Cold Turkey vape shop. At his store, e-cigarette users can enter and take a puff, free of judgment.

Lofichuk said he doesn’t think restrictions are unreasonable in other public spaces, but that it doesn’t make sense to apply the ban to a vape shop.

Right now, restaurants and bars make their own guidelines when it comes to indoor e-cigarette use.

Employees at the Black Rabbit Bistro Lounge in Osborne Village have a soft policy to treat e-cig use how cigarette use would be treated.

However, staff said they would welcome a law that cleared up any confusion for guests.

“It would just make it a little more hard-lined for everyone to have the same regulations for all the restaurants,” said the restaurant’s daytime supervisor, Jordan Cayer.

The Manitoba Hotels Association also supports a ban on indoor vaping. President Jim Baker spoke at the meeting and said allowing e-cigs at bars would be a step back in time.

“Eleven years ago, that’s when smoking bans came about, and it was quite a change for our members and restaurants. (Since then) adaption has happened and the operators don’t want to go back,” said Baker.

Another meeting on e-cigarette legislation is planned for Monday at the legislature. The province hopes to finalize changes to the bill this year.