THE CANADIAN VAPING LASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DU VAPOTAGE ASSOCIATION A letter from the Canadian Vaping Association We share the grave concerns of Canadians about the recent cases of lung illnesses due to black-market ilicit THC (Cannabis) products. The young age of mary of the patients is particularly distressing. Irs natural in times like this for panic to set in, but that is also why we have to focus on the facts and address the collective anxiety around waping To parents. guardians and educators who are concerned about the rise in youth use of vapes: We share your concerns. Since 2018, teens have more access than ever before in comvenience stores, gas stations and music and sporting events. This needs to stop immediately. We have been caling on federal and provincial health authorities to limit the sale and promotion of regulated vaping products to age-restricted retail environments only The recent decision by Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott to ban the promotion of vaping products across convenience stores is an effective approach to limiting youth uptake. We support this decision, as well as the Minister's order requiring public hospitals to provide statistical information on vaping related pulmonary diseases to the medical officer of health. This is a step in the right direction to ensure vaping products are only available in speciality vape shops, which are subject to the most robust vaping regula tions in the country To the 4,9 million current Canadian smokers and the hundreds of thousands who have quit thanks to nicotine e-liquid vapes: You are the reason, we got into this business in the first place. We know you're worried that this unparalleled harm reduction method could be taken away from you. We will work tirelessly to ensure you continue to have this less harmful, tested lifeline available to you. To governments and government agencies who are committed to conducting an evidence-based review of the regulatory environment in your respective regions: We support you and look forward to working with you in the creation of evidence-based legislation and regulation for vaping products Committed to public health Our organization was created in 2014 as the original voice for the burgeoning Canadian vaping industry. Every one of our 300-strong membership has put its products through rigorous testing. The CVA is Canada's only national advocacy orgarnization representing the industry with no tobacco companies as part of our membership, nor do we receive any fees from tobacco companies. We are not looking to create vapers. We want to offer a harm reduction alternative to help convert adult smokers. Vaping products have been wrongly lumped into one category: what's inside them realy matters. The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed a strong correlation between the patients with mysterious lung illnesses in the US and tainted, ilicit THC (cannabis) vaping products purchased in the black market -not regulated nicotine e-liquid products. Data has also shown that flavours, which have been around for well over a decade, are not the contributing factor to youth adoption rates-it has been the irresponsible marketing, promotion and accessibility of certain vape brands in non-age restricted businesses that has created this crisis. In fact, the sale of flavours in Canada is limited by the labelling laws under the Tobacco and Vaping Product Act, enacted in May 2018. Anti-mass advertising Like any industry association, our mission is to advocate for our members. Our advertising and products do not reach youth, and we want to keep it that way. Since the inception of legal vape shops and access to products, advertising and promotional content has been limited to age-restricted areas only. It is only recently, through companies that don't adhere to the stringent age restrictive measures we take, that advertising and product have entered the mainstream market, reaching all ages. The CVA is not associat ed with any brands that market their products in the plain sight of youth or non-smokers. The CVA remains committed to working with Health Canada and regional health authorities to update regulations to restrict youth access to the sales and promotion of vape products. We must get to the bottom of the current outbreak of lung illnesses, which have primarily been associated with illicit, black market cannabis products rather than nicotine vapour products, and continue to fight for Canadian adults right to an unparalleled harm reduction technology. Samuel Tam President Canadian Vaping Association THE CANADIAN VAPING LASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DU VAPOTAGE ASSOCIATION A letter from the Canadian Vaping Association We share the grave concerns of Canadians about the recent cases of lung illnesses due to black-market ilicit THC (Cannabis) products. The young age of mary of the patients is particularly distressing. Irs natural in times like this for panic to set in, but that is also why we have to focus on the facts and address the collective anxiety around waping To parents. guardians and educators who are concerned about the rise in youth use of vapes: We share your concerns. Since 2018, teens have more access than ever before in comvenience stores, gas stations and music and sporting events. This needs to stop immediately. We have been caling on federal and provincial health authorities to limit the sale and promotion of regulated vaping products to age-restricted retail environments only The recent decision by Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott to ban the promotion of vaping products across convenience stores is an effective approach to limiting youth uptake. We support this decision, as well as the Minister's order requiring public hospitals to provide statistical information on vaping related pulmonary diseases to the medical officer of health. This is a step in the right direction to ensure vaping products are only available in speciality vape shops, which are subject to the most robust vaping regula tions in the country To the 4,9 million current Canadian smokers and the hundreds of thousands who have quit thanks to nicotine e-liquid vapes: You are the reason, we got into this business in the first place. We know you're worried that this unparalleled harm reduction method could be taken away from you. We will work tirelessly to ensure you continue to have this less harmful, tested lifeline available to you. To governments and government agencies who are committed to conducting an evidence-based review of the regulatory environment in your respective regions: We support you and look forward to working with you in the creation of evidence-based legislation and regulation for vaping products Committed to public health Our organization was created in 2014 as the original voice for the burgeoning Canadian vaping industry. Every one of our 300-strong membership has put its products through rigorous testing. The CVA is Canada's only national advocacy orgarnization representing the industry with no tobacco companies as part of our membership, nor do we receive any fees from tobacco companies. We are not looking to create vapers. We want to offer a harm reduction alternative to help convert adult smokers. Vaping products have been wrongly lumped into one category: what's inside them realy matters. The Centers for Disease Control has confirmed a strong correlation between the patients with mysterious lung illnesses in the US and tainted, ilicit THC (cannabis) vaping products purchased in the black market -not regulated nicotine e-liquid products. Data has also shown that flavours, which have been around for well over a decade, are not the contributing factor to youth adoption rates-it has been the irresponsible marketing, promotion and accessibility of certain vape brands in non-age restricted businesses that has created this crisis. In fact, the sale of flavours in Canada is limited by the labelling laws under the Tobacco and Vaping Product Act, enacted in May 2018. Anti-mass advertising Like any industry association, our mission is to advocate for our members. Our advertising and products do not reach youth, and we want to keep it that way. Since the inception of legal vape shops and access to products, advertising and promotional content has been limited to age-restricted areas only. It is only recently, through companies that don't adhere to the stringent age restrictive measures we take, that advertising and product have entered the mainstream market, reaching all ages. The CVA is not associat ed with any brands that market their products in the plain sight of youth or non-smokers. The CVA remains committed to working with Health Canada and regional health authorities to update regulations to restrict youth access to the sales and promotion of vape products. We must get to the bottom of the current outbreak of lung illnesses, which have primarily been associated with illicit, black market cannabis products rather than nicotine vapour products, and continue to fight for Canadian adults right to an unparalleled harm reduction technology. Samuel Tam President Canadian Vaping Association