Stakeholder Engagement Session on the Third Legislative Review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act – August 13, 2025
Subject(s)
Consultation session on the third legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act
Date
August 13, 2025
Participants
Tobacco Control Directorate
- Sonia Corrent, Director General
- Acting Manager, Legislative Review, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning
Industry Representatives
- Kurt Bradley, Tabac Arsenal Inc.
- Kumail Dalwala, Tabac Arsenal Inc.
- Denis Dufresne, Bastos of Canada Ltd.
- Richard Edelstein, Century Tobacco Company
- Brittney Green, JTI-Macdonald Corp.
- Marisa Tejavanija, JTI-Macdonald Corp.
- Samir Najjar, JTI-Macdonald Corp.
- David Wong, JTI-Macdonald Corp.
- Stephen Hacikyan, Imperial Tobacco Canada
- Steve Lamont, Imperial Tobacco Canada
- Kerem Karabeyoglu, Crestview Strategy
- Oliver Kulik, Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc.
- Shloka Saini, Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc.
- Sabrina Sotiriu, Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc.
- Bernardino Montoya Hernandez, Grand River Enterprises
- Tammie Snider, Grand River Enterprises
- Kyle Wilcox, Brigham Enterprises Inc.
Introduction
The Tobacco Control Directorate (TCD) invited tobacco industry representatives to a consultation session on the third legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA). On June 27, 2025, the Government of Canada launched a public consultation to solicit feedback on compliance and enforcement challenges identified in the previous two legislative reviews, such as a potential need for additional or enhanced tools for a progressive enforcement approach.
TCD reminded participants that this meeting is subject to disclosure as per Health Canada's Openness and Transparency policies. The handling of information and privacy notice was outlined 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. Participants were also informed of this policy in the invitation, and accepted these terms by registering to the event.
Subjects
TCD welcomed participants and stated the objective of the consultation session was to provide participants with additional details on the third legislative review of the TVPA and discussion questions for their consideration when providing their formal written submissions. In addition, TCD sought to collect the views of industry on challenges they feel they face with complying with the TVPA.
TCD gave a presentation describing the approach to the third legislative review of the TVPA and the three themes identified for the review – the changing market, regulating in a digital era, and facilitating collaboration through the legislative framework of the TVPA – and spoke to some of the challenges Health Canada is facing with regard to compliance and enforcement of the TVPA in these areas. TCD also set out next steps and information on how to participate in the consultation and contribute to the review.
Health Canada then opened the floor to questions.
Parliamentary review
Industry representatives asked when there would be a parliamentary review of the TVPA.
- TCD explained that the TVPA requires the Minister to undertake a review of the Act's provisions and operation three years after the day on which it came into force, and every two years after that. The Minister is required to table the report in both Houses of Parliament. TCD is not able to say whether or when there would be a parliamentary review of the TVPA.
Reporting suspected violations
Industry representatives asked about the process to report illegal websites and accounts to TCD and federal inspectors.
- TCD explained that Canadians are encouraged to report any potential violations of the TVPA to Health Canada by email. All issues and complaints brought to Health Canada's attention are taken seriously. When a potential violation is identified, where appropriate, Health Canada works with the regulated parties to promote compliance by ensuring that they are aware of the requirements and providing them with an opportunity to comply with their legal obligations.
Interpretation of the TVPA
Industry representatives asked what to do when there are misunderstandings over the interpretation of the TVPA by provincial inspectors and whether there is a process for raising awareness of Health Canada's interpretation of the Act.
- TCD explained that any concerns about suspected or potential misunderstandings should be shared with Health Canada by email.
In closing, Health Canada thanked participants for their time and encouraged them to contribute to the legislative review by sending a written submission to the Legislative Review Secretariat.
Conclusion
The meeting was then concluded.
Documents
- Agenda as provided by TCD
- Presentation as prepared by TCD