The Council of Medical Officers of Health issues an alert about the dangers of vaping in young people. In a letter, all provincial and territorial chief physicians believe that young people, parents and governments need to be made aware of the need to curb this growing phenomenon.
“We find this trend very disturbing, especially because many of these young people are non-smokers,” they say in this release.
“They mention the efforts made by industry to attract a new audience. “The vaping devices come in elegant shapes reminiscent of high-tech products, which appeal to young people with their innovative, cool and harmless appearance,” they write.
Canadian Cancer Society Senior Policy Analyst Rob Cunningham stresses the urgency of the situation: “We need a comprehensive strategy. Teenagers are exposed to all kinds of advertisements on these products. It’s not acceptable.”
An always dangerous product
The electronic cigarette is less dangerous than the traditional cigarette, but it remains a danger to health and creates a serious dependence.
Rob Cunningham, Canadian Cancer Society
Medical Officers of Health recall that vaping products contain nicotine. This molecule, present in tobacco, is highly addictive, especially as some products contain a high concentration.
“Of greatest concern are the new types of vaping products on the market, such as pods and” nicotine “salts, which have a very high nicotine content. A single pod can expose the user to the same amount of nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, “says the Council of Medical Officers of Health.
Go through the legislative route
“In the United States, 11 states have increased the legal limit to 21 years on tobacco and vaping products. We should do that in Manitoba. We should also ban sales in all convenience stores and especially for flavored products, “suggests Rob Cunningham.
For its part, Health Canada is launching a consultation campaign to gather proposals for possible regulatory measures to reduce the accessibility and attractiveness of vaping products for young people.
The organization wishes to work on several avenues of anti-vaping such as the prohibition of the manufacture and sale of vaping products with flavorings, the imposition of limits in the concentration of nicotine in vaping products, restrictions on online retail access; or restrictions on product packaging.
Dan Jones was born and raised in Australia. Dan covers stories related to vaping at Kev’s Vape.
