Algoma's top doctor on e-cigarettes, obesity

The Ontario government is taking another step forward in its fight against the deadly dangers of smoking, as well as raising awareness of fighting obesity.

After passing many laws in recent years banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces, workplaces and in motor vehicles if children under 16 are present, the government today introduced the Making Healthier Choices Act, 2014.

The bill, if passed, would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, to anyone under 19, prohibit their use in certain places where smoking tobacco is prohibited, prohibit the display and promotion of e-cigarettes wherever they are sold, ban the sale of flavoured tobacco products (with a 'delayed implementation date' on menthol-flavoured cigarettes), and increase the maximum fines for selling tobacco to youth.

The bill, if passed, would also require restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores with prepared food counters (if they have 20 or more locations across Ontario) to clearly post calorie information about food and beverages, including alcohol, on menus and menu boards, to inform people how many calories they may be consuming in an effort to curb obesity.

Public health inspectors would be required to ensure calorie information is clearly posted for people to see.

E-cigarettes do not involve smoke, but a vapour, which contains some nicotine but not as many other harmful chemicals.

It is thought by some that e-cigarettes can help smokers wean themselves off cigarettes, but it is also feared they are a stepping stone for youth to start smoking cigarettes.

"I'm in support of the legislation because of our lack of understanding what the components (of e-cigarettes) are, and I'd hate to think our kids are inhaling something harmful, and our adults for that matter too," said Dr. Kim Barker, medical officer of health at Algoma Public Health (APH), speaking to SooToday.

"I think what I'd like is some commitment to a controlled study in an environment where we knew what the components (of e-cigarettes) were, to really demonstrate if this was effective in helping people to quit smoking," Barker said.

Barker is enthusiastic about the government bill's intention to inform people about obesity and its risks.

"In our society the latest epidemic is obesity."

"Anything we can do to assist people in becoming aware of what they're eating and how it's affecting their health is important," Barker said.

"I think people would be absolutely astonished what their calorie intake is at some of these restaurants and I think this awareness reason alone may assist us in reducing the epidemic we're facing."

"From a public health inspectors point of view, it won't increase the amount of work we have to do, because we have to go in there and inspect anyway so it would be just one more item, one more box to tick," Barker said.

"I think this is a terrific opportunity for us to raise importance of healthier choices and it'll be interesting to see what effect this legislation will have."