Please sign my petition to ban flavoured vape pods in Canada.  The only reason they are flavoured is to get youth hooked!

After many decades of public education about the negative health impacts of cigarettes, smoking is no longer as popular as it used to be. In recent years, technology has evolved and made it possible to "smoke" in a different way -- using electronic cigarettes. The recent rise of vaping is dramatic, especially among teenagers. Vaping and e-cigarette usage by Canadian youth has grown quickly and should be considered an epidemic.

To provide you with some background, vaping is an electronic cigarette that contains nicotine or tobacco. Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling aerosol, often referred to as vapour which is produced by an e-cigarette. Vapes can also have juice pods that are sold in a variety of different flavours, which appeal to youth. Despite the vape flavours that companies such as JUUL advertise as “safe” alternative to cigarettes, this is not the case.  Many vaping devices contain a variety of toxic chemicals which have been linked to cancer, respiratory and heart disease, along with many other terrible illnesses. In addition to diseases, many vaping devices contain nicotine which is an addictive substance. Nicotine also harms the developing brains of children and teenagers and, can affect memory and attention spans.

There are many unknown things about vaping including the vapour itself and the impacts vaping can have on one’s physical and mental health over the long-term. There is still much research to be done to determine what vaping is and whether it is safe.

As a high school student, I have seen many teenagers vaping in the community, on public transit, and in other public spaces. Canadian youth are drawn to vaping due to the wide range of advertising by companies who design, produce and sell these products targeted at Canadian teenagers. Canadian youth are being exposed to these products constantly. Our country is currently faced with a massive public health crisis and teenagers are uneducated about the risks. Action must be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of youth in Canada. The most dangerous part of this crisis is the population it is affecting; the youth of Canada. There is no reason why Canadian Governments shouldn't protect the health of their own youth.

#banflavouredvapes