Are we missing the bigger picture on vaping and public health?

Are we missing the bigger picture on vaping and public health?

An interesting opinion piece by Ian Irvine in the Financial Post highlights how vaping has played a significant role in preventing young people from taking up smoking.

As Ian points out, when modern vaping products hit the market, the decline in smoking accelerated—especially among youth and young adults. He puts it bluntly:

"Youth is rebellious, but not always stupid. When a lower-risk vehicle for defying authority and conformity appeared, they jumped on it."

Yet, despite clear evidence, regulators continue to treat all nicotine products as equally harmful—when, in reality, only combustible tobacco carries the severe health risks.

This raises a crucial question: Why are non-combustible nicotine products still regulated as if they were cigarettes? Shouldn't public health policy reflect the actual risks rather than outdated perceptions?

Honest discussions about harm reduction matter - for both youth and adults. What do you think?