Many researchers are focusing on the role played by e-cigarette flavourings in encouraging young non-smokers to use these products. Earlier this year, the Nordic Welfare Council produced a report intended to inform public health efforts by governments in the Nordic Region (Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands, Finland, Aland, and Greenland). Their report – The significance…
Last month, Philip Morris began selling the heated tobacco IQOS devices and sticks in the United States. This is almost 3 years after they were marketed in Canada. The reason for the delay was that the US Food and Drug Administration would not permit the sale of this or any other new tobacco product until…
Recently the academic journal Tobacco Control published a new study on Finland’s experience with banning flavours in e-cigarettes. In this paper, Eeva Ollila of the Cancer Society of Finland analyzed the legal challenges and defiance to the law by manufacturers and retailers, and identified the need for greater controls at the EU and other levels. See you in…
Dr. Kessler, former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was talking to the media this week about the problems with the JUUL vaping product. He predicted that JUUL and other similarly designed vaping products are unlikely to be approved by the FDA. (After May 2020, the FDA will be reviewing each e-cigarette design to decide…
Yesterday Alberta became the first province to say that it intends to put a tax on vaping products. The measure was announced in the province’s annual budget. What took so long? Why are other governments not taking action? By any number of criteria, health-oriented taxes and price controls are needed on vaping products, just as…
This week an updated report on the Burden of Occupational Cancer in Canada was circulated. The research was prepared by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre with financial support from the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The results on occupational exposure to second hand smoke might surprise those who think that workers are…
Last February, 2,027 Canadian vapers sat down at a computer and answered a questionnaire prepared by Environics Research on behalf of Health Canada. Six months later, the report summarizing their answers has been available at the Library of Canada. (Link: POR 083-18 Vapers Panel Survey to Measure Attitudes and Behaviours Regarding Vaping Products). The results provide…
The power to speak Medical officers of health have special responsibilities and powers in the Canadian health system. Although they work for municipal, provincial and federal governments, many have the authority to speak out about health risks without having to get approval from elected officials. Federal law, for example, gives Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr….