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 , 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 -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 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 NEWS E233 Automated external defibrillators defibrillators external Automated Canadian equip all Royal A bill that would vehicles with automated Mounted Police also or AEDS, external defibrillators, Heart and reading. “The passed second estimates of Canada Stroke Foundation suffer from cardiac that 40 000 Canadians 13 every person one or year, each arrest MP . minutes,” said Liberal early access “In each of those instances, save a life.” The bill to a defibrillator can the aisle; however, won support across questioned why it NDP MP Matthew Dubé defibrillators until 12 delays the rollout of is adopted. “There months after the law willingness to move seems to be a lack of quickly.” this process along more Lauren Vogel, CMAJ - ISSUE 8 ISSUE | VOLUME 190 VOLUME | FEBRUARY 26, 2018 FEBRUARY | Disability benefits Disability a bill government voted down The Liberal pro application single a create would that cut- disability-related benefits, cess for all and for people with disabilities ting red tape health pro- burden for their administrative and New Democrat viders. Conservative current system members argued the they have a dis- requires people to prove leading some doctorsability over and over, away. “They do notto turn these patients the onerous paper- have the time to fill out explained Conserva- work that is required,” New Democrat MP tive MP . that “one process,Cheryl Hardcastle argued be sufficient, andone doctor’s note” should the defeated bill “is questioned whether only being turned down because it will be included in some sweeping legislation.” CMAJ

End-of-life care and pharmacare End-of-life care and petitions urging the Members also heard to palliative access ensure to government conscience rights care and to protect the and institutions of health professionals assist the deaths of who do not wish to the on called petitions Other patients. to develop a univer- federal government drug plan under sal, single-payer public Act, and to provide the Canada Health medication abortion the for coverage Mifegymiso (mifepristone-misoprostol). that the government will not decriminalize will not government that the from can- any other drugs aside or legalize New Dem- to a call from nabis, in response the failed Davies to “abandon ocrat MP Don and adopt a health-based war on drugs use.” addiction and drug approach to