Evidence of meeting #95 for Health in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
To the ministry staff, I'd like to know if there's any comment or additional information that might be helpful to us in view of Ms. Gladu's statement.
Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate, Department of Health
Popcorn lung and its association with diacetyl is a known phenomenon in workplace exposure scenarios, where people have large amounts of continuous exposure to high levels. We're not aware of any incidences of lung tissue scarring—that is, popcorn lung—occurring with vaping products. I think that's it for now.
The one other thing I'd point out is that even in the absence of a prohibition against that substance here, vaping products are subject to the Consumer Product Safety Act, which contains a general prohibition against the sale of anything that's a danger to human health and safety, an unreasonable hazard. If the evidence comes out that makes us think, yes, this is unreasonably hazardous in these products, the prohibition would be there to do it, and we can make regulations under either of the acts.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
I had my staff look into the regulations for the U.K. and Europe to see whether or not it was there. It is there and it is banned, so I'm just suggesting that we learn from them and not wait.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
What would be the impact of adding this as a prohibited substance? Why not be cautious? If I play devil's advocate, if we're not sure of the potential harm, but it could be there, and if the European experience is as Ms. Gladu describes, what would be the impact of our adding this to the list of prohibited substances? How would it impact the industry in how they're currently marketing or manufacturing their products?
Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate, Department of Health
To a certain extent, I guess that's a question that could have been directed to industry. Certainly diacetyl is used in some flavourings, particularly to create buttery flavours. That may make the product more appealing to some people. That's it. Appealing flavours have been an important part of the success that some people have had in quitting smoking by using vaping products. That's all I can offer.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Okay. Is there no more comment?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Now we would have NDP-11, but you previously said you were not going to carry that forward.
Shall the schedules carry as amended?
(Schedules 2 and 3 as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Shall the title carry?
NDP
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Sure.
Shall the bill as amended carry?
(Bill as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Shall the chair report the bill as amended to the House?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
I have one question that came up about the timing and the advance notice to the industry to adapt to the change. I didn't get a clear answer that the industry is going to have the time required to make the change after the bill is passed and gazetted.
Can you give us some thought on that or shed some light on it?
Director General, Tobacco Control Directorate, Department of Health
Certainly. Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair.
As I understood it, the principal concern was about the plain and standardized packaging provisions and how difficult they might be to put in place.
As I said, there will be a regulatory proposal on plain and standardized packaging. It will be out for consultation. That consultation will be for at least 75 days, as it has international trade considerations. Then there will be some time while the department figures out what to do with everything it heard and recommends further to the minister what to do with that.
Typically, when Tobacco Act regulations are finally gazetted in Canada Gazette part II, they come with a six-month period of coming into force.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bill Casey
Thanks very much.
That concludes our study of Bill S-5.
We're going to take a little break and then we're going to go into committee business. It will be in camera because we have some work-related issues to deal with and some witness lists.
We'll take a break for a few minutes. Thank you very much. In five minutes we'll come back.
[Proceedings continue in camera]