Mental Health and Addiction Secretary Carolyn Bennett said the measure was intended to reach more people – including young people, who often share cigarettes and do not find the packaging. A 75-day consultation period will begin on Saturday. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation welcomed the new requirements and said there was strong evidence that messages about tobacco products had an impact on curbing consumption. CLOCKS The Liberals propose stricter regulations for tobacco products:
Liberals propose stricter regulations for tobacco products
Minister for Mental Health and Addiction Carolyn Bennett announces proposed measures to strengthen tobacco regulations. “Canada will now have the strongest cigarette health warning regime in the world,” said Doug Roth, the foundation’s chief executive officer, in a statement. “These are deadly products and these measures will help further reduce their impact on young people and non-smokers, as well as support current smokers in their efforts to quit smoking.” Bennett also revealed extensive warnings about cigarette packs that include a longer list of the health effects of smoking. Canada has demanded photo warnings since the turn of the millennium, but the images have not been updated for a decade. Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society, noted that Canada has also set a precedent by requiring photo warnings, with other countries following suit. He said he hoped the warnings printed on the cigarettes themselves would take off internationally.
