Health board sitting on electronic fence

The Toronto Board of Health has said it will tackle the issue of e-cigarettes  “later this spring,” but for the moment it is not declaring a position, according to a story by Jenny Yuen for the Toronto Sun, quoting board chairman Joe Mihevc.

“There are certainly some benefits to it,” said Mihevc. “I think it would be fair to say the public health community is debating this.

“On the pro side, one can argue it’s a contribution helping the people who want to stop smoking. You get the nicotine but not the harmful carcinogens into your system.

“On the other hand, it’s the social normalization of it—the impact it has on youth and children. That’s the debate.”

E-cigarettes containing nicotine are basically banned in Canada.

If they contain nicotine or if a health claim is made about them, they fall within the scope of the Food and Drugs Act and require approval by Health Canada before they can be imported, advertised or sold in Canada.

“No such products have been approved,” said Health Canada spokesman Gary Scott Holub. “Without this scientific evidence, Health Canada continues to advise Canadians against the use of these products.”