Vapselect Inc. Founder: Activist to continue lobbying federal government legislation regarding the vaping industry

MIRABEL, Quebec, March 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sherwin Edwards, Founder, President and  CEO of Vapselect Inc., a staunch advocate and activist for the vaping industry, has registered to independently lobby Health Canada and other Government agencies after all efforts using the democratic process to be heard by the federal government have been exhausted and ignored.

Edwards was a witness before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA) on February 14, 2018 on behalf of the vaping industry and the 10,251 Canadians who signed E-1237, an online parliamentary petition that was presented to the House of Commons earlier this year. He is concerned about the lack of balance of public witnesses called to testify before the committee - 12 anti- smoking groups versus three vape industry advocates.

"This is not a balanced consultation process," states Edwards. "Where is the democracy?"

Edwards has taken a stand against the federal government's Bill S-5: An Act to amend the Tobacco Act and the Non-smokers' Health Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. His position is that Bill S-5 should not include vaping products by classifying them on the same shelf as tobacco products. He sponsored E-1237, an online Parliamentary petition, calling for the suspension of Bill S-5 and for a distinction between tobacco and vaping products. The petition appears to have been completely ignored.

Edwards reports that Bill S-5 lumps vaping with the tobacco industry and ignores science-based results. It is not in the interest of public health, or this rapidly growing industry and Bill S-5 threatens to hand a grassroots industry into the hands of vaping conglomerates while ambiguity allows Health Canada to micromanage the entire industry.

"There has been a fair amount of serious misinformation, omissions, and non-disclosure of possible conflicts of interests in some agendas of the presenters from both sides regarding the clauses regarding vaping," said Edwards. "Eliquid vaping products and tobacco products are two entirely different products and should not be debated within the same piece of legislation."

The next step in this regulatory process will be proposed amendments- regulations which as written are extremely vague and Edwards will insist in playing a role in discussions.

He asks the question. "If our government campaigns on ?we will listen to the people platform', then why are their voices being ignored?"

For more information:

Sherwin Edwards
450-434-9485
[email protected]