In 2015, the Tobacco Control Act was tabled in the National Assembly in the name of then Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé. Five years later, the Implementation Report (2015-2020), released on Thursday, November 26th , demonstrates a breach of the law to protect young people.
According to the report, 32% of high school students smoke or use tobacco products. (Photo library)
The variety of underhanded marketing tactics from the big manufacturers has undoubtedly contributed to the new phenomenon of youth vaping. Almost a third (32%) of high school students admit to consuming tobacco products or its by-products.
The report recognizes the inadequate regulation of vaping products and recommends strengthening the legislative and regulatory framework for vaping products, in order to reduce the appeal of these products and restrict their accessibility to young people.
“With more than 13,000 annual deaths in Quebec linked to smoking and the growing popularity of vaping among young people, Quebec must examine all the flaws and weaknesses in the law, the objectives of which are to support and strengthen the prevention of tobacco use, explains Flory Doucas, Co-director and spokesperson for the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control.”
You just have to walk around the region’s high schools to see the large number of young smokers or vapers.
“Despite the vaping measures adopted in 2015, manufacturers have been able to attract a generation of young people into the insidious trap of nicotine addiction, deplores Mrs. Doucas. That is why we are awaiting with great anticipation the realization of the government’s commitment.”
In the report of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, it is repeatedly stated that there is a lack of resources and levers to effectively intervene both to ensure compliance with smoking bans and to ensure compliance with regulations on the sale and promotion of vaping products online which are in principle prohibited in Quebec.
