Meeting between Health Canada and the Harm Reduction Collective – October 30, 2024

Subject(s)

Impacts of the coordinated vaping excise framework, the illegal market, flavour restrictions, and disposable vaping products

Date

October 30, 2024

Participants

Health Canada (HC)

Harm Reduction Collective (HRC)

Introduction

A meeting was held at the request of HRC to discuss their concerns of the impacts of the coordinated vaping excise framework and its relation to the growing illegal market, flavour restrictions, and issues with disposable vaping products.

The Chair started the meeting with introductions.

Health Canada reminded participants that this meeting is subject to disclosure as per Health Canada’s Openness and Transparency policies. In the interest of transparency, the Department stated that it would be making a record of the meeting publicly available. The handling of information and privacy notice was mentioned and acknowledged. Health Canada also referred to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), its international obligation to protect tobacco control policies from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. It was acknowledged by HRC participants.

Subjects

Disposable Vaping Products

HRC has noted an increase in the availability of disposable vaping products. HRC noted that these products are often imported from manufacturers abroad. In addition, HRC mentioned, based on their observations, that individual disposable vaping components are also being exported to Canada, allowing for the assembly to take place domestically. 

HRC expressed their concerns regarding the availability of non-compliant disposable vaping products, which in their view, are offered to consumers at lower prices as some retailers and vendors do not comply with the vaping excise tax requirements.

Illegal Market Overview

HRC raised concerns regarding enforcement activities for vaping products and the lack of compliance with the vaping excise framework. HRC also noted the emergence of new non-compliant products in the Canadian market that use “dust” (a general term for illegal substances that may be placed in vaping products). HRC also reported the availability of high nicotine products that exceed the allowed limits, and counterfeited excise stamps.

HRC raised concerns about the availability of illegal oil-based vaping flavours in the Canadian market, and the health risks these types of flavours pose to consumers.

Conclusion

The meeting was then concluded.

Documents

Agenda as provided by HRC

Page details

2025-01-30