Federal Liberals targets children, smokers looking to quit with new vaping bill
OTTAWA — The federal government wants to keep vapour-based e-cigarettes out of the hands of children while ensuring smokers can access the devices to help mitigate the health risks of the tobacco habit, says Health Minister Jane Philpott.
New legislation introduced Tuesday in the Senate aims to tackle 21st-century tobacco use by retooling the existing tobacco law as the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act and creating a new class for vapour-based products.
But as questions persist about the health effects, vaping remains a double-edged sword of sorts for regulators, who find themselves trying to strike a delicate balance.
“We know that there is some evidence to suggest that the use of vaping products can be used as a harm reduction tool for people who are current smokers,” Philpott said outside the Commons.