Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
INTRODUCTION
Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act and Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Services, each received Second Reading in the Legislative Assembly on February 28, 2019. The bills were referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development, committee, for review, the results of which are reported below.
BACKGROUND
Bill 40: Smoking Control and Reduction Act
Bill 40 is intended to repeal and replace our existing Cannabis Smoking Control Act as well as replace certain provisions under the existing Tobacco Control Act.
In summary, Bill 40 proposed to:
- create prohibitions and offences, including in respect of smoking in a public place and in a motor vehicle while another person who is a minor is present in the motor vehicle;
- impose requirements in respect of the display of signs, including signs respecting the health risks associated with smoking;
- provide for the enforcement of the bill and any regulations made under it;
- authorize the making of regulations; and
- consequentially amend the Cannabis Products Act.
Bill 41: Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act
Bill 41 is intended to repeal and replace our existing Tobacco Control Act.
In summary, Bill 41 proposed to:
- create prohibitions and offences, including in respect of the sale, supply, and display of tobacco products, vapour products, accessories, or prescribed substances or products;
- impose requirements in respect of the display of signs respecting the legal age to purchase such products, accessories, or substances;
- impose an automatic prohibition in respect of the sale or storage of such products, accessories, or substances in a place in which at least two sales offences have been committed within a five-year period, and imposes requirements in respect of the display of signs respecting the automatic prohibition in the place;
- provide for the enforcement of the bill and any regulations made under it;
- authorize the making of regulations; and
- consequentially amend the Tobacco Tax Act.
Vapour products, sometimes referred to as e-cigarettes, vapes, vapour devices, or vaporizers, are battery-operated devices that heat and vaporize a liquid so that users may inhale, "vape," to imitate the smoking experience. The heated liquid, usually propylene or vegetable glycol based, can be combined with other ingredients and flavours, and vaping products can be available with or without nicotine.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to turn it over to the honourable Member for Deh Cho.