For those who did not know, yesterday, Sunday May 30, 2021, it was the World vaping day which clearly competes with World No Tobacco Day. In a press release proposed for the occasion, the Quebec vaping rights coalition (CDVQ) wished to reiterate the great importance of maintaining flavors in vaping.
»ABOLISHING FLAVORS IN VAPING WOULD BE A SERIOUS MISTAKE! "
In her press release, Ms. Flory Doucas, co-director and spokesperson for the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control affirms that " Numerous studies also show that young people who vape are three times more likely to become a smoker. ". However, the reality is quite different. A serious study published by the BMJ Journals2, reveals that “less than 1% of American teens who vaped first have become established smokers. ".
With regard to the number of vapers among young people, the CDVQ, even if it fully subscribes to the fact that young people should not vape, severely criticizes the manipulation of information and the figures of organizations like that of the Coalition of Mrs. Doucas. In her press release, she says that " in Quebec, three times more young people vape compared to adults ". The reality is that there are nearly 250 adult vapers in Quebec, more than 000 times the number of underage vapers, the majority of whom are occasional users.
For the CDVQ, this type of information harms debate and is only dictated by dogmatism. " We regret that organizations like those of Ms. Doucas, out of pure ideology, manipulate information
and refuse to consider the many scientific studies demonstrating the benefits of vaping in tobacco control. Vaping is a recognized and effective way to quit smoking and vaping is in line with the principle of harm reduction " commented Ms. Christina Xydous, spokesperson for the CDVQ.
Abolition of flavors has increased smoking among young people in San Francisco In the same press release, Mr. David Raynaud of the Canadian Cancer Society calls on the government to follow the example of Nova Scotia and other American states which have banned flavors in vaping. However, since the abolition of flavors in Nova Scotia, the number of smokers has increased significantly.
In San Francisco, which has also abolished flavors in vaping, the renowned medical journal JAMA Pediatrics, last week unveiled the results of a study on the ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products and the smoking of high school students under the age of 18. The findings are worrying: “ Like other states in the United States and many municipalities, the state of California has placed restrictions on the sale of these products. It appears that this approach has resulted in an increase in smoking among minors deprived of flavored vaping products?In fact, smoking among those under 18 has more than doubled! Something to worry and make think organizations like those of Mr. Raynaud and Ms. Doucas.
In conclusion, the CDVQ reiterates its request to the Quebec government not to abolish flavors in vaping and to stick to science and facts. " Abolishing flavors in vaping would be a serious mistake and could turn tens of thousands of Quebecers back to smoking. On the eve of World No Tobacco Day, we ask the Legault government to reconsider its regulatory project and register vaping as an effective and recognized smoking cessation solution. And as the National Academy of Medicine in France mentions so well, from a perspective of tobacco control, we must not be mistaken with the enemy! »Concluded Ms. Xydous.
