Abstract
Recreational cannabis use is in the process of being legalized in Canada, and new products and devices for both nicotine and cannabis vaping are being introduced. Yet, research on the harms of involuntary exposure to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs) and cannabis vaping is in its infancy, and there is a lack of investigation on sex-specific health effects and gendered patterns of exposure and use. We argue that responses to ENDS and cannabis vaping exposures should align with policy and progress on restricting exposure to tobacco secondhand smoke (SHS). Furthermore, we argue that sex, gender, and equity considerations should be integrated in both research and policy to benefit all Canadians.
Highlights
Progress on reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in Canada is facing new challenges.National data from Canada reveal that 16.1% of males and 10.5% of females have tried electronic cigarettes, and 14.9% of males and 9.7% of females have reported cannabis use in the past year [1].Of those who reported cannabis use in the past year, 28% reported using a vaporizer to consume cannabis [2]
In the following commentary we argue that in order to support the development of regulations and policies that benefit all, sex, gender, and equity considerations must be integrated in research and policy from the outset
There are heat not burn” (HNB) products such as IQOS [25], and higher nicotine containing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs) products and brands such as Juul [26], which may be associated with greater health harms than standard nicotine vaping products
Summary
Progress on reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in Canada is facing new challenges. Women and men tend to be exposed to SHS in different locations—men in the workplace and women in the home [9,10] For these reasons, it is essential to apply a sex and gender lens to research on patterns of exposure and health effects to inform more nuanced policy and public health responses, especially as new products and substances are being regulated. In the current Canadian context of forthcoming legalization of cannabis and the regulation and expansion of the use of ENDS, further research is required to: (1) investigate the sex-specific health effects of involuntary exposure to ENDS and cannabis vaping products; (2) examine the health effects, including sex-specific effects, of exposure to new nicotine and cannabis vaping products and devices; and (3) examine how ENDS and cannabis vaping impact existing smoke-free legislation and patterns of involuntary exposure, all with particular attention to the implications for gender and health equity
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