Tobacco companies ask Quebec to create ACCES Vapotage

A year after Quebec implemented regulations banning flavours in vaping products, the Regroupement des tabagies du Québec believes that this measure is ineffective.

It is asking the Ministry of Health and Social Services to draw inspiration from the ACCES Tabac program to create ACCES Vapotage to curb the illegal trade in flavoured products.

Michel Poulin, spokesperson for the Regroupement, said its members noticed that it is still easy for e-cigarette consumers to obtain flavoured products.

“The reality, after a year, is that there is no decrease (in vaping) and on the contrary, we have developed a new source of income for smuggling networks for all kinds of things,” said Poulin.

He explained that the Regroupement has noticed that it’s still possible to buy illegal products with flavors in vaping stores, on the web or in the street, and that many young people still vape around schools.

“I’ve been in stores where I saw children and teenagers also which is illegal,” he said. “Vapor shops are still selling it and we don’t see any difference since last October.”

Poulin said the Regroupement believes that the consequences for those who break the law are not harsh enough and that inspections are not frequent and effective enough, putting tobacco shops that enforce the law at a disadvantage.

“That is why I recommend that the government uses the ACCES Tabac law as inspiration to increase the maximum and minimum fines and encourage municipalities and police forces to make it a priority,” he said.

The ACCES Tabac (Actions Concertées pour Contrer les Économies Souterraines) program was established in 2001 to tackle the illegal tobacco trade. In November 2009, the Act to amend the Tobacco Tax Act and other legislative provisions primarily to combat tobacco smuggling was adopted, strengthening the ACCES Tabac program, which has proven it’s worth, according to Poulin.

“We say: listen, take something that works really well and apply it to vaping. And you will see, the results will be there,” said Poulin.

Pouline said he and other representatives approached teenagers who were smoking flavored products, with them saying they receive the device from international websites or from friends over 18 years old.

“The younger you start, the faster you become addicted to the nicotine,” he said.

The Quebec government states on its website that “selling, offering to sell or distributing a tobacco or vaping product with a flavour or aroma other than tobacco” is accompanied by a fine ranging from $2,500 to $125,000, and $5,000 to $250,000 for repeat offences.

“The main objective of the new regulation is to reduce the appeal and access to vaping products, in particular by eliminating flavours, to protect the health of Quebecers, especially young people. MSSS (Ministry of Health and Social Services) inspectors are visiting stores to issue reports and files are currently being analyzed. Fines can reach $250,000. Everyone must follow the law and have the health of Quebecers and our young people at heart,” said a spokesperson for Health Minister Christian Dubé.

“If it’s against the law how come we still have so many small bottles of vapor flavor available or electric cigarettes with different aroma,” he said.

“It’s ridiculous.”