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Standards Council of Canada

e-cigs to be banned in public places and work places in Ottawa?

It has been an active week for e-cigarettes this first week of December. On Thursday the e-cigarette committee was set up at ISO (ISO/TC126/SC3). Today, the Ottawa Board of Health votes on a motion to regulate "e-cigarettes and smoking of non-tobacco combustible substances in public places and work places." I guess since the province of Ontario sent out mixed messages last month, it's time for the municipal governments to step up? Too extreme? A good idea? I'm very interested in your thoughts and also of the thoughts of different consumer groups and affected groups in Ottawa.

 

LET’S CLEAR THE AIR 2.0: CONSULTATION PLAN

 

 

ACS2015-OPH-HPDP-0006

 

 

That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit

  1. Approve City Council’s request to the Board, outlined in the motion brought forward by Councillors Qadri and Fleury and approved at the November 25th, 2015 Council meeting, which:
     
    1. Directs staff to review and consult with relevant stakeholders on the potential to expand by-laws to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes and smoking of non-tobacco combustible substances in public places and work places; and
       
    2. Directs staff to report back to the Board of Health with recommendations for the Community and Protective Services Committee and Council in time to be implemented prior to Fall 2016; and
       
    3. Directs staff to work with By-Law & Regulatory Services and Legal Services to review and recommend any required updates to the smoke-free by-laws based on the review listed above, including any operational and enforcement considerations.
       
  2. Approve the proposed consultation plan, as outlined in the report.

Comments

Re: e-cigs to be banned in public places and work places in...

qredekop's picture
Permalink Submitted by qredekop on Mon, 2015/12/14 - 14:14

Ontario is now doing what Olivier announced that Québec has done, effective January 1, 2016. Here is what Ottawa Public Health has announced:

What is the legal status of electronic cigarettes?

  • E-cigarettes that have nicotine or make a health claim have not been approved for sale in Canada, and are therefore illegal. People can report the sale of these products to Health Canada at 1-800-267-9675.
  • E-cigarettes without nicotine, and making no health claim, can be sold.
  • The Ontario government introduced new legislation called the Electronic Cigarette Act. Effective January 1, 2016, the following restrictions come into force:
    • E-cigarettes may not be sold to anyone under the age of 19; and
    • E-cigarettes may not be used in places where smoking tobacco is prohibited.
  • Effective January 1, 2017, e-cigarettes will be subject to the same promotion and display restrictions as tobacco products and the sale of e-cigarettes will be restricted where the sale of tobacco is prohibited.

Are there health risks from using electronic cigarettes?

  • Health Canada warns people not to buy or use e-cigarettes as they may cause health risks. E-cigarettes have not been fully tested for safety.
  • People in search of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should use products that have been proven safe and effective. These products include the nicotine inhaler, patch, lozenge and gum.
  • E-cigarettes, including their nicotine cartridges, must be kept out of the reach of children at all times, given the risk of choking or nicotine poisoning.
  • There are no long term studies on the health effects of using e-cigarettes.
  • Ottawa Public Health recommends that e-cigarettes not be used in enclosed spaces as the health risks associated with second-hand vapors are not known at this time.

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