Health on the Hill: Parliament Mulls Vaping Regulations
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NEWS Health on the Hill: Parliament mulls vaping regulations n Cite as: CMAJ 2018 February 26;190:E232-3. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.109-5568 Posted on cmajnews.com on Feb.8, 2018. arliament debated new vaping rules and other public health bills in its first week back after Pwinter break. Vaping and plain packaging Bill S-5 would update existing tobacco laws to regulate vaping products in much the same way as other tobacco products, including provisions to restrict sales to youth and ban flavoured products. The bill proposes to allow limited promotion of vaping products as a tool to help people quit smoking; however, it will pro- hibit claims of health benefits. “The key message that needs to be emphasized is that while scientific knowledge is still evolving on the issue, there is much more work to be done,” said Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government. “It is clear that vaping products may bring public health bene- fits, if they reduce tobacco-related death NicolasMcComber/iStock and disease by helping smokers quit or A Senate bill to restrict youth access to vaping products is before the Standing Committee on Health. switch completely to a less harmful source of nicotine, but it may also harm Taxation Joël Lightbound, Parliamentary Secretary young people, in particular.” Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu high- to the Minister of Finance, said the reforms The bill also would introduce plain lighted the “unintended consequences” are necessary to “ensure a level playing packaging for tobacco and vaping prod- of upcoming small-business tax reforms, field,” and will affect only the richest 3% of ucts, replacing branding with health dis- arguing that people who own corpora- private corporations. The government will claimers and plain text. Conservative tions, including many physicians, will be present a detailed plan in the 2018 budget. members took issue with this aspect of the unable to afford to expand their busi- proposed law, alleging that similar initia- nesses. She cited the example of a doctor Marijuana tives in Japan and France failed to reduce in her riding of Sarnia-Lambton who uses Bloc Québécois members raised concerns smoking. Liberals and New Democrats, the tax savings accumulated in his corpo- that the soon-to-be-legal marijuana market conversely, cited the success of Australia’s ration to buy technology and expand his may be bankrolled by organized crime, plain-packaging laws. “Many a study has practice. Members also heard two peti- noting that anonymous investors from been done, and we have seen that it has tions urging the government to recon- known tax havens have sunk $165 million had a positive impact compared to previ- sider the reforms, including one that into cannabis production. Health Minister ous packaging,” said Lamoureux. called on the government to extend the Ginette Petitpas Taylor countered that the The bill passed second reading with consultation on the changes and “provide government’s proposed cannabis bill will only one no vote, and is now before the documentation that the Liberal govern- create a “responsible, well-regulated legal Standing Committee on Health. ment actually considered alternatives.” market.” Petitpas Taylor also reiterated E232 CMAJ | FEBRUARY 26, 2018 | VOLUME 190 | ISSUE 8 © 2018 Joule Inc. or its licensors that the government will not decriminalize Disability benefits Automated external defibrillators or legalize any other drugs aside from can- The Liberal government voted down a bill A bill that would equip all Royal Canadian nabis, in response to a call from New Dem- that would create a single application pro- Mounted Police vehicles with automated ocrat MP Don Davies to “abandon the failed cess for all disability-related benefits, cut- external defibrillators, or AEDS, also war on drugs and adopt a health-based ting red tape for people with disabilities and passed second reading. “The Heart and NEWS approach to addiction and drug use.” administrative burden for their health pro- Stroke Foundation of Canada estimates viders. Conservative and New Democrat that 40 000 Canadians suffer from cardiac End-of-life care and pharmacare members argued the current system arrest each year, or one person every 13 Members also heard petitions urging the requires people to prove they have a dis- minutes,” said Liberal MP Julie Dabrusin. government to ensure access to palliative ability over and over, leading some doctors “In each of those instances, early access care and to protect the conscience rights to turn these patients away. “They do not to a defibrillator can save a life.” The bill of health professionals and institutions have the time to fill out the onerous paper- won support across the aisle; however, who do not wish to assist the deaths of work that is required,” explained Conserva- NDP MP Matthew Dubé questioned why it patients. Other petitions called on the tive MP Dan Albas. New Democrat MP delays the rollout of defibrillators until 12 federal government to develop a univer- Cheryl Hardcastle argued that “one process, months after the law is adopted. “There sal, single-payer public drug plan under one doctor’s note” should be sufficient, and seems to be a lack of willingness to move the Canada Health Act, and to provide questioned whether the defeated bill “is this process along more quickly.” coverage for the abortion medication only being turned down because it will be Mifegymiso (mifepristone-misoprostol). included in some sweeping legislation.” Lauren Vogel, CMAJ CMAJ | FEBRUARY 26, 2018 | VOLUME 190 | ISSUE 8 E233.