Editor’s Note: The complete Report of the Standing Committee on Health, VAPING: TOWARD A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR E-CIGARETTES, is available here. Below is an excerpt from the Introduction,
On 29 September 2014, a letter from the Minister of Health to the Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (the Committee) stated: “Due to a lack of evidence on the benefits or harms of e-cigarettes, it would be helpful for the Standing Committee on Health to study their potential risks and benefits, seek advice from a variety of health stakeholders, and provide a report.”1
On 7 October 2014, the Committee adopted the following motion:
That, immediately following the Committee’s consideration of the draft report on marijuana’s health risk and harms, the Committee undertake a study of no fewer than five (5) meetings on e-cigarettes beginning with a briefing from government officials and that this study focus on the following areas:
a) The potential risk, benefits and challenges associated with these products domestically, including the renormalization of smoking, and use as smoking cessation aids;
b) The pros and cons of ways in which different jurisdictions both domestically and internationally have chosen to regulate these products; and
c) Options for realizing any benefits and addressing any significant health and safety risks.
While recognizing that business referred to the Committee by the House such as Government legislation or Estimates will take precedence in scheduling over this study.
And that the Committee report its findings to the House.