Health Canada and Coalition des droits des vapoteurs du Québec Meeting – May 30, 2022

Subject:

The Coalition des droits des vapoteurs du Québec (hereinafter referred to as "CDVQ") requested a meeting with Health Canada so the CDVQ could present their views on vaping product flavours, consumer voices, relative risk statements, and enforcement/accountability.

Date:

May 30, 2022

Participants:

Health Canada (HC)

• Sonia Johnson, Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate (TCD) (Chair)
• Manager, Policy and Issues Management, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, TCD

CDVQ

• David Levesque, Spokesperson

Introduction:

A meeting was held at the request of the CDVQ in order for the CDVQ to present their views on vaping product flavours, consumer voices, relative risk statements, and enforcement/accountability to Health Canada.

Health Canada reminded the CDVQ representative that the meeting is subject to disclosure as per Health Canada's Openness and Transparency policies. In the interest of transparency, the Department stated that it would be making a record of the meeting publicly available. The handling of information and privacy notice was mentioned and acknowledged.

The Chair then invited participants to introduce themselves.

Subjects:

The CDVQ covered the four following themes:

1. Vaping product flavours

The CDVQ requested an update on the proposed restrictions for vaping product flavours. Health Canada indicated that analysis of the feedback received from the Canada Gazette, Part I consultation process was ongoing.

The CDVQ also asked how Health Canada determined the proposed list of non-prohibited ingredients, and suggested that the regulations prescribe which ingredients are prohibited, instead of which are not. Health Canada indicated that the department had acquired over 800 samples of vaping product flavours and conducted a thorough analysis.

2. Consumer voices

The CDVQ indicated that many consumers prefer fruit or other flavours to tobacco flavours, and that many people who currently vape may move to mint/menthol flavours, rather than tobacco, if the proposed restrictions were to come into force. The CDVQ also noted that conversion of future smokers might be harmed if the proposed restrictions were to come into force.

3. Relative risk statements

The CDVQ requested an update on any efforts to develop relative risk statements for vaping products. Health Canada indicated that the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act allows the authorization of such statements, and that the department will be analyzing any feedback that might have been received in this regard as part of the spring 2022 public consultation on the legislative review of the Act.

4. Enforcement/accountability

The CDVQ provided its views on how to enhance federal enforcement powers, such as restricting sales promotions.

Conclusion:

The meeting was then concluded.

Documents:

• Agenda as provided by the CDVQ.