QUESTION PERIOD — Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Business of Committee
May 1, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Senator Petitclerc, you and the members of the committee, as well as our respective leaders, will have received a letter from me pertaining to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act. It’s been nearly a year since the act received Royal Assent and stories are already emerging about increased use of vaping products among children, especially concerning high school and junior high students. The latest data set from Health Canada predates the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, yet it shows that 53 per cent of students consider vaping products easy to get. This is concerning to me from a public health perspective. I would ask you, as chair of the committee, to commit to conducting a review of the impact of legalization of vaping products has had on Canadians.
Thank you, Senator Stewart Olsen. Thank you for raising this concern and for the letter you sent. As you may remember when we went through Bill S-5, I was the sponsor of the bill and we were both members of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. I remember that we both shared some very serious concerns about this bill. In fact, I remember once you said to me that part of it scared you. I think, sadly, when we look at some of the numbers that we see in the newspaper, here in Canada but also in the U.S., you were right to be scared.
I still share those concerns. I want to thank you for raising them.
I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Senator Seidman and Senator Deacon, because they have both been very vocal in this chamber in keeping us informed and the concern and issue alive.
I am concerned, as you are. I am also aware of the — and I will continue in French.
Following the consultation held by Health Canada from February 5 to March 22, 2019, concerns were raised about vaping, and we are trying to evaluate how we can reduce the impact of vaping products advertising on youth and non-users of tobacco.
The purpose of this consultation was to receive input and make proposals to limit advertising, which is one of our main concerns, restrict where these products are sold, inform the public through warnings and restrict the display of these products. Like you, I look forward to seeing the results of this study.
I want to let you know that after your letter, I will meet with the health minister in the next few weeks. Of course, I will be very happy to report back and to let you know the answers I get. Thank you very much.
