With respect to the consultation process, similarly, the Canadian Lung Association wouldn't have been involved in those consultations. Part of it is because, under the natural health products regulations, these nicotine pouches, when they applied under those regulations, were under four milligrams of nicotine, which is what took them outside of the way we traditionally regulate nicotine or vaping products and allowed them to find that laneway under natural health products. We wouldn't typically consult there.
It is one of the best examples in my experience. From being made aware of this issue and raising awareness about it to government action and getting these products off the shelves, over the span of 10 months, it was an incredible effort and one that should be applauded.
With respect to the health impacts of nicotine pouches, of course, from a respiratory perspective, our primary concern is around exposure to nicotine early on. We know that the earlier young people are exposed to nicotine, the more likely they are to develop a longer-term dependence on nicotine. We're concerned about that leading to vaping use, which we know has respiratory harms, and, of course, tobacco use. I think some of my other colleagues have alluded to this. With vaping products, in some respects, we took a wait-and-see approach to determine what those health impacts were going to be, and that really did lead to a failure, so it's important that we don't wait and see. We have the evidence in our history to know that we need to keep these protective measures in place.