Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
Government of Canada
Ottawa, ON

AWOL : Public Health and Safety

Dear Minister,

On August 9 we contacted you by fax expressing our concerns about the Alcohol Without Liquid (AWOL) vaporiser.

After the Canada Safety Council alerted the media to the availability of this device, many Canadians, including police and health officials, were alarmed by its potential to jeopardize public health and safety. Concerns were raised that the device would lead to increased alcohol abuse, impaired driving and underage “drinking.”

It should be of interest to Health Canada that the Australian state of New South Wales recently indicated it will ban the AWOL device. That government will make the alcohol vaporiser an “undesirable alcohol product” under the Liquor Act.

We understand that a major promotion for the device will take place in New York City on August 20. This will increase awareness of its availability in Canada as well as across the U.S.

Since our fax went out, no response has been received from your office. As we are in constant communication with the media and others, we would appreciate an immediate response to our questions. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely

Emile Therien
President, Canada Safety Council

cc: Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada; Hon. Anne McLellan, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; Provincial/Territorial Premiers ; Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police ; Federation of Canadian Municipalities ; Canadian Medical Association ; Canadian Public Health Association ;CSC Board of Directors

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Letter to Minister of Health:
(August 9, 2004)

Follow-up (September 30, 2004)