Province reviewing smoking legislation amid vaping concerns

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — As reports of vaping-related illnesses rise in the United States and Canada, the Government of Alberta is looking to tackle the issue head-on.

As part of a mandated review of the province’s smoking and tobacco legislation due to begin on November 1st, there will be a major focus on vaping.

Do you even vape, bro? Today at the McDougall Centre, we'll hear how the Government of Alberta plans to address health concerns around vaping and tobacco use. #ableg #yyc pic.twitter.com/oW2xFKa4W8

— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) October 2, 2019

“This is an area where the technology and the products have evolved so much over the past seven years,” said Health Minister Tyler Shandro at the McDougall Centre on Wednesday. “This is a situation where this is a new, emerging technology that fell outside the scope of what the legislation said at the time.”

The review is being led by Calgary-Klein MLA Jeremy Nixon, who said it will be “aggressive”.

“This review is a great opportunity to consider building on the gaps in the legislation around vaping,” Nixon said. “Look at provincial minimum age for vaping products and consumption, possession and sale. To consider the use of vaping in public places and workplaces.”

Water pipes and hookahs will also fall under the review, along with a look at how to address advertising as the province wants to keep them out of the hands of kids and teens.

As many questions remain on the mysterious illnesses believed to be related to vaping, and what the real health effects are, there is also a task for the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Karen Grimsrud.

“She is working with all of her colleagues throughout Canada — the other Chief Medical Officers of Health for every other province — in being able to investigate this and study it,” added Shandro.

Shandro said that if there are some urgent concerns that need to be addressed right away then the government will act immediately, even though actual amendments to the legislation are not expected until the spring.

The public and stakeholders, such as business owners, are encouraged to provide input in the process as the new legislation may impact the sale of the products.

Shandro himself also noted that he wasn’t aware of differences between vapes and e-cigarettes when he came into office, and the whole situation involves a learning curve for everyone involved.

But he said this is also a major priority, as smoking rates in Alberta have increased threefold in the past few years and health care costs associated with smoking top out at more than $1.5 billion every year.

Outside the McDougall Centre, a group of vaping advocates was standing on the street corner as they were unsuccessful in trying to go in and watch the press conference.

They are encouraged by this planned review, and also hope it can dispel some myths around vaping.

“There are sensational media headlines, that is putting a bad light on our industry,” said Jason Kim, owner of Evolution Vape in Calgary. “Shandro and Nixon hit some key points that we’ve always been after some strict age restrictions and keeping these things out of children’s hands.”

Kim also shared some of the concerns about advertising, especially when it comes to one company that drives around giving out free vapes.

“That’s Vype, which is owned by Imperial Tobacco, doing this major advertising push — I guess grey area advertising push — which we are fully against,” said Kim.

Finally, when it came down to health concerns over chemicals in vaping liquids, Kim added that products like he sells are not the problem.

“In the e-liquids, they are already regulated. What’s not regulated is the CBD cannabis oils and liquids, which is not part of our industry, that’s part of the cannabis legislation.”

When asked about how the impending legalization of cannabis concentrates — including oils used in vapes — Shandro said they will monitor all the evidence as it comes forward.

“If there are any issues that arise, I suppose, throughout this and people have questions like that, I think that’s something to be brought up during the review.”

The Health Minister also noted that some assistance from the federal government will also be helpful throughout the process.