Introduction: According to Canada's Sing Tao Daily, Toronto has introduced new smoking-control policies restricting the sale and use of e-cigarettes in the region. Chinese-operated vape businesses have been hit especially hard by the proposed ban. China v
Introduction: According to the Canadian Sing Tao Daily, Toronto has introduced new smoking regulations that restrict the sale and use of e-cigarettes in the area. Chinese e-cigarette vendors are expressing their grievances over the ban.
According to reports from the Canadian Sing Tao Daily, the Toronto Public Health unanimously passed a request for the provincial government to expand the smoking ban to include e-cigarettes. Chinese vendors selling e-cigarettes oppose this, believing it will lead to their closure; however, some former e-cigarette users support the measure.
The recommendations passed by the health department include banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and prohibiting sales to young people. Mr. Liao, a vendor of e-cigarettes, stated during an interview on A1 Chinese Radio's current affairs program "A1 Strikes Back" that if the authorities implement the recommendations, he will almost have to close his business, which is his main reason for opposition. He explained that he only sells e-cigarettes, and if flavored e-cigarettes cannot be sold, no one will use e-cigarettes anymore, as the best-selling products are those with flavors.
Mr. Huang, a former e-cigarette user, expressed support for stricter regulations on e-cigarettes during the program. He stated that using nicotine-free e-cigarettes helped him quit smoking to some extent, but he still has concerns about whether they contain other harmful substances. He is also worried about the impact of e-cigarettes on young people, as with regulation, minors would not be able to purchase e-cigarettes, whereas currently, they can buy them online. Expanding the smoking ban to include e-cigarettes could also prevent young people from imitating others who smoke.
Counselor Chen Bifei, who is familiar with the psychology of addiction and e-cigarettes, stated that the World Health Organization has indicated this year that it will reassess the effectiveness of e-cigarettes and conduct more research to explore their effectiveness in smoking cessation. She acknowledged that current research has not definitively determined whether e-cigarettes are harmful to health; some studies say they are, while others say they are not. However, if the government strengthens regulation, it is hoped that more research will be promoted.
