Anti-tobacco groups say Addictions Minister Saks must resign if she fails to ban flavoured vapes

Three anti-tobacco groups are calling on federal Addictions Minister Ya'ara Saks to resign if she fails to pass regulations banning flavoured vaping products.

At a news conference on Friday, the heads of Physicians of a Smoke-Free Canada, the Quebec Coalition of Tobacco Control and ASH Canada said they have been waiting for 14 months for the minister to strengthen controls on the vaping market to protect children.

Draft regulations to remove sweeteners and most flavourings from vaping products were first published in the Canada Gazette in June 2021, but they have not been finalized.

«Instead of speaking out against an industry that lures new customers with increasingly affordable, flavourful and playful devices, the minister has actually met with industry,» said Flory Doucas, co-director for the Quebec Coalition of Tobacco Control.

«If she is unwilling or unable to finalize it in the coming weeks, then we ask that she resign and allow someone else to finish the job.»

The anti-tobacco groups said other plans to regulate designs and packaging, further restrict minors' access to the products and allow public access to data on the tobacco and vaping industry have been set aside by the federal government.

Nicotine pouches are regulated under the Food and Drugs Act, which falls under the purview of the federal health minister. But vaping products are regulated under the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, overseen by Saks.

Canada's lobbyist registry shows Saks met on May 23 with representatives of the Canadian Vaping Association and Rights 4 Vapers to discuss the regulations.

Les Hagen, executive director of ASH Canada, said Friday that learning Saks met with vaping lobby groups recently was «very concerning.»

«The regulatory process has