Abstract
The tobacco, and now vaping, industries are skilled at creating falsification campaigns that leave policymakers and the public confused and distracted. As Nova Scotia saw youth vaping rates rise, a non-profit conducted a youth and young adult survey to discover why, what, and how often youth and young adults vape. They discovered that almost 96% of youth prefer flavours, and 48% believed they would quit if flavours were removed. This research was pivotal in capturing the voices of youth, gathering stakeholders, and countering industry opposition. On April 1, 2020, the Nova Scotian government implemented Canada’s first ban on flavoured vaping products. This was followed by a nicotine cap of 20 mg/ml and a revamped taxation structure. The survey allowed non-profits to band together and align messages. It also provided government with information to take actions that reduce the prevalence and potential harms of vaping among youth. This commentary describes the advocacy process and opposition faced when advocating for vaping control measures. This approach can serve as a guide for assisting other jurisdictions in advocating for policy changes.
Résumé
Les industries du tabac, et maintenant du vapotage, sont habiles à créer des campagnes de falsification qui embrouillent les responsables des politiques et le public et qui distraient leur attention. Avec la hausse des taux de vapotage chez les jeunes en Nouvelle-Écosse, un organisme sans but lucratif a mené une enquête auprès des jeunes et des jeunes adultes pour découvrir pourquoi ils vapotent, à quelle fréquence et avec quels produits. L’enquête a révélé que près de 96 % des jeunes préféraient les arômes, et que 48 % croyaient qu’ils cesseraient de vapoter si ces arômes étaient retirés. Cette étude a été déterminante pour capter les voix des jeunes, réunir les acteurs et contrer l’opposition de l’industrie. Le 1er avril 2020, le gouvernement néo-écossais a mis en œuvre la toute première interdiction des produits de vapotage aromatisés au Canada. Il a ensuite limité la nicotine à 20 mg/ml et repensé la structure fiscale. L’enquête a permis aux organismes sans but lucratif de se regrouper et d’harmoniser leurs messages. Elle a aussi procuré au gouvernement les informations nécessaires pour prendre des mesures qui réduisent la prévalence et les préjudices potentiels du vapotage chez les jeunes. Notre commentaire décrit le processus de plaidoyer et l’opposition rencontrée lorsque l’on défend des mesures de contrôle du vapotage. Cette approche peut servir de guide pour aider d’autres administrations à préconiser des changements de politiques.
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LK and RW would like to thank Nova Scotia Health Authority for salary support.
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MA provided the initial idea and extensive direction for the submission. MA provided expertise in tobacco research such as references. LJK wrote the initial draft and outline of the paper. LJK identified key references and events described in the paper. RW and RH provided significant editing and revising to the draft. All authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript.
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Dr. Mohammad Al-hamdani was the executive director of Smoke-Free Nova Scotia throughout this advocacy.
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Kennedy, L.J., Walls, R.A., Hart, R. et al. Vaping control in Nova Scotia: using research to catalyze change. Can J Public Health 113, 417–421 (2022). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-022-00620-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-022-00620-0