A detailed description of the TVPA can be found on the Canadian Government’s website. The webpage explains that while for non-smokers taking up vaping would increase health risks, if smokers had to completely switch to vaping, their health risks would be greatly minimized.
The page offers technical information about the different devices available, the various type of vaping substances, such as e-liquids and salts, and also the different nicotine strengths they may contain.
Officially in favour of vaping for harm reduction
“Vaping products do not contain tobacco and do not involve burning or produce smoke. Except for nicotine, vaping products typically only contain a fraction of the 7,000 chemicals found in tobacco or tobacco smoke, and at lower levels.”
This stance has been applauded by public health and anti-smoking experts, but sadly other countries are still maintaining a forbidding attitude, and this sends mixed messages to the public. One such country is Australia, where e-cigarette devices are legal, but the use of nicotine-containing refills is not.
A senseless ban on e-cigs, while cigarettes still widely available
In August 2016, several public health groups in Australia, amongst which the New Nicotine Alliance (NNA), had submitted proposals to local regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), to remove nicotine concentrations of below 3.6% from the Poisons Standard. However, in February 2017, the TGA rejected the application and upheld the nicotine ban.
Not surprisingly, a recent survey indicated that the majority of the public is unhappy with the current situation. The Australian Retail Association poll, conducted by the Crosby Textor Group, indicated that 61% of the 1200 adults surveyed, are in favour of legalizing the devices. The ARA’s executive director Russell Zimmerman, is urging the government to follow the lead of countries such as the UK and Canada, and revise the current regulations.
