(QUEEN'S PARK) Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington, was the lone dissenting vote against Bill 45, The Making Healthier Choices Act, yesterday as the Legislation was passed at Third Reading. 

"I am very disappointed that this Liberal Government ignored thousands of pleas to delay passing Schedule 3 of Bill 45," said Hillier. "By passing Bill 45, Ontario will ignore world leading science and research that is demonstrating the overwhelming benefit of vaporizers in society. Countless studies by the world's top anti-smoking researchers have shown time and time again that vaporizers are proving to be the most effective smoking cessation device ever created.” 

Schedule 3 of Bill 45, entitled the Electronic Cigarettes Act, would henceforth treat the sale and use of vaporizers identical to the sale and use of tobacco under Ontario's regulations. Despite thousands of testimonials provided throughout the public consultations during Committee, the Bill was not amended.  

"I have made it clear all along that I have no issues with the first two Schedules of the Legislation.” 

"If Schedule 3 is enacted into law, however, it will be a serious backwards step for public health in Ontario. While I am disappointed that the Government has ignored my recommendations, there is still plenty of work to do to recognize the harm reduction and smoking cessation benefits of vaporizers."

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