Principles
We are committed to seeing Canada achieve a smoke-free status. We believe that tobacco harm reduction (THR) and reduced risk products play an essential role.
Our four pillars of success
We advocate for the following principles centered around choice and responsibility.
Accessibility
We support the right for responsible retailers to sell THR products.
Affordability
THR products should be taxed on a sliding scale based on their risk profile, with cigarettes being the highest taxed nicotine product.
Consumer choice
We support the availability of all products which demonstrate a significant reduction in risk compared to cigarettes.
Youth nicotine use
We are strongly opposed to youth use of products containing nicotine.
The pillars in detail
Our pillars are based on the most recent THR research.
Accessibility
We support the right for responsible retailers to sell THR products. By making these products more accessible to current smokers (in convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops, etc.), it makes it easier for them to switch to a reduced-risk alternative while also ensuring a responsible framework in which minors cannot purchase these products. Restricting access to THR products (such as behind the pharmacy counter in the case of nicotine pouches in Canada) may lead to consumers accessing products on the black market or returning to smoking cigarettes. For example, Australia has much more restrictive vaping regulations than New Zealand, and nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) can only legally be purchased via prescription. It is estimated that 90% of Australian vapes are now accessed via the black market [1] where there is no quality control or proper age gating.
Affordability
We believe that THR products should be taxed on a sliding scale based on their risk profile. Products on the lower end of the risk spectrum should carry lower taxes, and taxes should increase as risk increases, with cigarettes being the highest taxed nicotine product.
By taxing THR products excessively, consumers will be enticed to turn to black market products which often have little to no quality control. According to researchers, Australia’s heavy restrictions on vaping and tobacco taxation policies have been fueling a rise in a lucrative yet dangerous black market, and authorities estimate the size of the illicit vape market could be worth up to $500 million in Victoria, Australia alone [2]. Due to this illicit trade, Victoria saw over 40 firebombings in 2024 [3].
Moreover, there are many at-risk populations, such as those with mental health conditions, who have much higher-than-average smoking rates [4] and can benefit from reduced risk products [5]. If THR products are taxed at lower rates than cigarettes it will provide a financial incentive to switch which could be especially beneficial for already disenfranchised populations.
Consumer Choice
We recognize that no one size fits all when it comes to quitting smoking, and what might be an effective smoking cessation tool for one individual may not be as effective for someone else. Consumers should have the right to choose which product works best for them, and we support the availability of all products which demonstrate a significant reduction in risk compared to cigarettes. This includes the following reduced risk products:
- Nicotine vapes (electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)),
- Heat-not-burn products (heated tobacco products)
- nicotine pouches, and,
- Snus.
Furthermore, we support the availability of flavored reduced risk products. Adult consumers prefer a variety of flavour options (e.g., fruit flavor) in nicotine products, and research shows that without these options people who smoke are more likely to go back to smoking cigarettes [6] [7]. The intention to restrict flavor choices for THR products may result in adult patients switching back to smoking cigarettes or turning to black market alternatives. Availability of flavor choices that appeal to adult smokers should be balanced with restricting flavors that overtly target a youth demographic (e.g., bubble gum or cotton candy).
Youth Nicotine Use
CanTHR is strongly opposed to youth use of products containing nicotine. We believe that the best way to age-gate the sale of these products is in retail stores as has been well established for alcohol, cannabis and tobacco sales.
Become a member
Joining CanTHR is free and registering only takes a minute or two. Filling out the form will add you to our membership database and will enable us to provide you with important information including the CanTHR newsletter.