Read articles from Canada

November 25, 2024 by oyston.com

Several safer alternatives to cigarettes, like vapes, heat-not-burn products, snus, and nicotine pouches, are not being effectively promoted. Instead, political actions are making them less appealing, more costly, and harder to access. The letter urges Health Canada to rethink its approach to these products, emphasizing that millions of lives could be saved.

November 19, 2024 by westernstandard.news

This week, Sweden moved closer to becoming "smoke-free," with a smoking rate of 5.3%. According to the World Health Organization, a country is considered smoke-free if the smoking rate is under 5%. Given Sweden's current trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before they reach this goal. Sweden is the only European country where lung cancer is not the leading cause of cancer death. In contrast, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in Canada. Canada aims to reduce its smoking rate to below 5% by 2035, which would mean reducing the number of smokers from 4.6 million in 2022 to fewer than 1.8 million by 2035.

October 31, 2024 by financialpost.com

Canada’s three major cigarette producers have offered $32.5 billion to settle lawsuits filed by provincial governments and smokers. The author argues that the plaintiffs should accept the offer. Although Big Tobacco’s harmful history might warrant ongoing punishment, the focus should be on helping smokers quit cigarettes, even if they switch to lower-risk nicotine options. The settlement amount is small compared to government revenue from cigarette taxes, which are very high to offset health costs and discourage smoking. Since the 1990s, Canada has collected about $250 billion in cigarette taxes. In contrast, the U.S. “Master Settlement” was $250 billion in a much larger economy with lower tobacco taxes.

October 25, 2024 by theglobeandmail.com

Zonnic, a nicotine pouch, was marketed in Canada by Imperial Tobacco as a smoking cessation aid without explicit warnings. Health Canada approved it despite concerns about youth access. The government issued a ban on non-mint flavors and restricted sales to pharmacies in response to underage use. Meanwhile, smoking rates decline as tobacco companies pivot to alternative products. Industry efforts to present these products as harm reduction tools are scrutinized, with critics cautioning about potential addiction risks and marketing to new users. Settlement talks between provinces and tobacco companies could reshape the industry's future. BAT aims to transition to non-nicotine ventures, anticipating a shift away from traditional tobacco products.

October 23, 2024 by globalnews.ca

The federal government is set to reveal new restrictions on flavored vaping products, potentially within the next month. The long-awaited regulations aim to limit flavors in e-cigarettes to tobacco, mint, and menthol. Despite a push to curb youth nicotine use, national restrictions are still pending. Concerns include creating a comprehensive framework to prevent loopholes that endanger youth. Various jurisdictions' approaches, like Quebec's ban on flavored vapes leading to illicit markets, are being considered. Advocates stress the urgency of action due to high youth vaping rates. Discussions on potential restrictions involve nationwide bans, while others suggest limiting flavored products to specialty stores.

October 21, 2024 by gfn.tv

Canada's Minister for Health wants to ban nicotine pouches but how easy will it be to shut down the booming black market? In Part 2 of our Canada special, Maria Pappaioannoy talks to Joanna Junak about the difficulties THR advocates are facing in Canada, and why Rights for Vapers now advocates for all safer alternatives to smoking.

October 16, 2024 by gfn.tv

Whilst Canada's looming flavour ban may have been postponed, various provinces and the Minister for Health have taken action to prevent the sale of flavoured nicotine products. Joining us today is Maria Papaioannoy to highlight the adverse impact these prospective bans may have on marginalized communities in Canada, and the broader implications these actions could have on the right to health.

October 11, 2024 by rights4vapers.com

Rights4Vapers in Ottawa urges the Canadian government to revamp tobacco control groups and support harm reduction methods. They highlight the benefits of reduced harm nicotine products and advocate for consistent regulations nationwide. The group calls for dismantling current structures, criticizing fear tactics and misinformation spread about vaping. They stress the importance of recognizing the role of vaping in smoking cessation globally.

October 10, 2024 by financialpost.com

Last Friday, anti-vaping activists gathered on Parliament Hill, demanding the resignation of Addiction Minister Ya’ara Saks for not implementing stronger vaping regulations after 14 months. Their primary concern is the availability of flavored vaping products, pushing for a ban on all flavors except tobacco. Critics argue that this would undermine harm reduction efforts, questioning why non-tobacco products should taste like tobacco and pointing out that limiting flavors could hinder smokers who are trying to quit.

October 08, 2024 by daily-pouch.com

Convenience store giants are challenging Health Canada's new rule restricting nicotine pouch sales to pharmacies, fearing it may fuel black markets. The shift favors harm reduction strategies, akin to successful models in Sweden, while critiquing Canada's approach as overly restrictive. Critics argue that bans on flavors and limited sales locations hinder harm reduction efforts. Restricting sales to pharmacies could lead to illicit trade, safety risks, and tax losses. Advocates of a pragmatic, education-focused approach urge regulatory flexibility to balance youth protection and adult access. Proponents stress the need for rational regulations to address smoking-related harm effectively without stifling alternatives.