“Quebecers agree that Legault’s government must focus on the real problems of the province’s health system,” said CDVQ spokesperson Valérie Gallant. “The irony is that if provincial regulators accepted vaping as a tool, there would be public health benefits. We visited cities and towns in Ontario and Quebec to educate, empower and engage. The results are unanimous: let’s save our flavours.”

In a new survey by the CDVQ and Rights4Vapers, when asked to prioritize 10 different issues affecting the province’s healthcare system, one in three Quebec residents (33 per cent) ranked access to health services as their highest priority, compared to one per cent who ranked nicotine use by minors as their highest priority. One in three (34 per cent) ranked underage nicotine use as the lowest priority.

“Flavours are essential for adult smokers,” Gallant said. “It’s dissociating vaping from smoking. We want everyone to understand that flavours are fundamental to making vaping an effective tobacco harm reduction tool.”

Despite constant threats of flavour bans, nicotine restrictions and tax increases, as well as a persistent misinformation campaign, Canadian adults who are smoking aren’t getting discouraged in their fight to keep vaping products available, accessible and affordable from coast to coast.

“Our survey revealed that Quebecers consider vaping to be a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking,” said Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for Rights4Vapers, one of Canada’s vaping rights organizations. “The problem’s that we have governments, and other publicly funded organizations, that continue to put obstacles in the way, and spread inaccurate information about the harm reduction capacity of vaping.”

Opinions and attitudes of Quebecers toward vaping are supported by recent academic and scientific studies, which show that vaping is a less harmful alternative than smoking.

Public health authorities around the world have made it clear that vaping can be an effective tool in helping smokers quit. However, that’s if the right regulatory and societal frameworks are in place.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article A Survey in Favour of Vaping est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Former municipal councillor for Sainte-Rose, responsible for issues related to the environment and urban planning during the two terms of Demers’s administration, Dufour will also act as spokesperson for Laval’s region for Quebec’s Liberal Party (QLP).

During the last campaign, in the wake of the saga surrounding the Cité du Cinéma, Dufour had also pledged, should she win her place at the National Assembly, to do everything possible to amend the Act respecting elections and Referendums in Municipalities, especially Articles 546 and 553, in relation to the procedure for registering qualified voters.

Sona Lakhoyan Olivier

In addition, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, deputy for Chomedey, was given, by the leader of the official opposition, Dominique Anglade, the function of Liberal spokesperson for the regions of Laurentides and Lanaudière, as well as for the tourism industry.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Virginie Dufour, Municipal Affairs Watchdog est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Despatie’s career took off, in part, at the Jeux du Québec de Baie-Comeau, in 1993. Eight years old at the time, the two-time Olympic Games medalist had won gold in the diving event.

“It can be the start of something big for many young talents,” Despatie said. “It’s also about all the jokes we were making on the bus while going to our competitions. It marked me, and I’ll never forget that.”

Despatie said he never hesitated when we asked him if he wanted to be the spokesperson of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec, saying “yes” right away when the question was brought to him on the phone.

“It’s special for me to be able to be part, in a way, of the event, at home,” the former diver explained. “I want people to get in, since I know the impact it can have on the young athletes, the parents and the volunteers. I’ll want to give back to this event for the rest of my life.”

Take advantage of the site

Despatie reminds us the importance of enjoying every moment of the Jeux du Québec. Some of his personal favourite memories being between competitions, he advises athletes to take advantage of the facilities, the athletes’ village and other places prepared for the event.

“For me, it will be about the message I’ll share with them,” Despatie said. I want to enjoy those moments to meet them. I intend to go see what’s happening during competitions, and experience the energy that circulates around them.”

Many sports will obviously be played during the eight days of competition. Despatie says he’s excited to be able to see a bit of everything.

“I’m looking forward to see all the sports, even those I’m not really used to see,” he said. “I want to discover everything. We’ll build a schedule based on the competitions.”

L’article Alexandre Despatie: From Athlete to Spokesperson est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.