Read articles from North America

November 19, 2025 by canadianaffairs.news

The WHO warns about new tobacco products targeting youth, leading to addiction. Despite progress, eight million still die from tobacco-related diseases yearly. Marketing e-cigarettes and nicotine products to teens is concerning, with usage nine times higher in adolescents than adults in 63 countries. Companies prioritize profits over public health. The WHO urges countries to regulate these products like traditional tobacco, with bans in some nations and strict controls recommended globally.

November 17, 2025 by winnipegsun.com

Policymakers throughout Canada have valid reasons to be concerned about vapes reaching vulnerable youth. The illicit market continues to grow nationwide, prompting many governments to take action. In their 2025 budgets, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan each allocated funds to combat contraband tobacco and tackle the broader illicit market.

November 06, 2025 by dcjournal.com

The Lancet report reveals a rise in untimely young adult deaths due to mental health issues, overdoses, and chronic diseases, despite a global decline in death rates. While youth vaping is a concern, policymakers must address the actual pressing problems like mental health and chronic diseases. Worldwide, anxiety and depression have increased, with lifestyle diseases on the rise among younger populations. Lawmakers' focus on vaping doesn't align with evidence that it's not a gateway to smoking. To combat youth mortality, prioritizing mental health services and addressing actual drivers of the crisis is crucial, while restrictions on vaping could divert attention from more significant issues impacting young people.

November 05, 2025 by torontosun.com

Health Canada is struggling to justify its decision to keep nicotine pouches out of convenience stores and restrict their sale to pharmacies. During a committee hearing, Deputy Health Minister Greg Orencsak acknowledged that the products were initially approved as a “less harmful” alternative to smoking and that Health Canada remains committed to helping Canadians quit. Despite this, the agency continues to support former health minister Mark Holland’s order requiring nicotine pouches to be sold only in pharmacies, limiting access to this effective smoking cessation aid.

October 27, 2025 by i2i.org

Denver voters face Referendum 310, deciding on a ban on flavored nicotine products. Proponents aim to curb youth access, but opponents argue it's unnecessary due to declining underage vaping rates. The ban overlooks harm-reducing alternatives like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Similar bans in other places led to revenue loss and thriving black markets. Advocates suggest focusing on education and enforcement, not prohibition. The ban could push consumers to neighboring areas, causing economic losses. Critics warn of repeating past policy failures and urge for a balanced approach. Ultimately, the ban might do more harm than good, impacting public health, freedom, and the economy.

October 21, 2025 by timescolonist.com

Attorney General Niki Sharma says the vaping industry is misleading young people through its advertising and packaging. British Columbia has already won a $3.6 billion settlement from tobacco companies over 18 years and now plans similar legal action against vaping firms. The structure of the lawsuit and the health-care costs linked to vaping are still being determined. While manufacturers claim vaping helps smokers quit tobacco, Sharma argues that because e-cigarettes contain addictive nicotine, they merely replace one harmful habit with another.

October 17, 2025 by gfn.tv

Maria Papaioannoy-Duic, founder and spokesperson of Rights for Vapers, speaks with Joanna Junak about the challenges Canadian vapers face in being heard in public health debates. Maria shares how her organization has worked tirelessly to educate consumers on safer nicotine alternatives, fight misinformation, and give a voice to those seeking harm reduction over prohibition.

October 16, 2025 by globalnews.ca

Albertan groups are urging federal health ministers to ban all flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in Canada to deter youth vaping. Despite promises since 2021, the government has not implemented the ban. Concerns are raised about the popularity of vaping among students, prompting advocacy groups like SAAVE and Action on Smoking and Health to seek direct discussions with ministers at the upcoming meeting in Calgary. The focus is on protecting young Canadians from the allure of flavored vaping products.

October 15, 2025 by reason.org

The FDA initiated a pilot program to speed up the approval of nicotine pouches. The move is welcomed by advocates who criticize the agency's slow approval process that favored traditional cigarettes over safer alternatives like e-cigarettes. Legacy tobacco firms have benefited from exemptions that hinder newcomers. The flawed process led to the dominance of Big Tobacco in the e-cigarette market, causing harm to smaller companies like Juul. Expanding the program to include e-cigarettes is crucial to provide smokers with safer options and combat the illicit market. The accelerated pathway is a step towards rectifying regulatory failures and improving public health.

October 15, 2025 by denverpost.com

Denver small businesses oppose billionaire funding to maintain a flavored tobacco ban. Referendum 310 gives voters the chance to decide on flavored vape sales to adults, protecting local revenue and businesses. On the other hand, supporters of the ban argue for health reasons due to nicotine's addictiveness. Meanwhile, Lakewood faces zoning conflicts over residential density changes. Proponents seek affordability and vibrancy, while others fear losing open space and trees. The impact on infrastructure and existing homeowners is a concern. The decision could shape the city's future.