The following is a statement from Camille Quenneville, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario Division, regarding the Ontario government’s announcement on banning the promotion of vaping products outside of specialty stores:
“This ban on the promotion of vapour products by the government of Ontario is a very positive step forward to addressing the harms related to youth vaping by preventing youth from being exposed and influenced in retail settings.
This decision by government was a direct result of consultations with stakeholders, emerging research by health experts, and evidence from recent hospital reports. It will allow for regulations for in-store promotion of vapour products in alignment with those for tobacco under the Smoke Free Ontario Act.
CMHA Ontario would like to congratulate the Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health, on this initiative and her ongoing commitment to the health of youth and adolescents. We welcome the opportunity to partner with government to develop public awareness campaigns to ensure Ontarians are making informed decisions regarding the risks and benefits of substance consumption, especially as it relates to mental health and addictions.”
About Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a not-for-profit, charitable organization funded by the provincial Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We work to improve the lives of all Ontarians through leadership, collaboration and continual pursuit of excellence in community-based mental health and addictions services. Our vision is a society that embraces and invests in the mental health of all people. We are a trusted advisor to government, contributing to health systems development through policy formulation and recommendations that promote positive mental health. Our 30 local CMHA branches, together with community-based mental health and addictions service providers across the province, serve approximately 500,000 Ontarians each year.
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For more information, contact:
Justin Dickie
Communications Officer
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4175
E: jdickie@ontario.cmha.ca