New Tobacco Regulations

To launch National Non-Smoking Week, the Minister of Health today released proposed new regulations on tobacco package labeling and tobacco promotion for public discussion and input. And reconfirmed our intent to introduce stringent tobacco reporting regulations.

The proposed tobacco labeling regulations make Canada a world leader in providing detailed and prominent information on the health risks of smoking. They would:

• make health messages and toxic information more prominent by increasing their display space to 60% and moving them to the front panel of cigarette packages;
• introduce new health messages that have been designed for youth by youth; and,
• provide consumers with more extensive information on the health impacts of the toxic emissions in cigarette smoke.

The goal of the proposed tobacco promotion regulations is to limit the exposure of Canadians - especially young Canadians - from inducements to smoke.

They are also about informed consent - informing Canadians about the health risks of smoking.

Options up for consideration include addressing practices related to tobacco advertising, packaging, displays and availability signs at retail stores.

The proposed tobacco reporting regulations will make Canada's the most stringent in the world.

The proposals would require tobacco manufacturers to report on a wide array of manufacturing, retail and promotional activities. Including:

• the toxicity and health effects of tobacco products;
• the taste and flavour of tobacco products;
• the modification and development of tobacco products;
• the ingredients in tobacco products; and,
• sponsorship and promotional activities on a brand-by-brand basis.

This will enable Health Canada to better understand how the tobacco companies are developing their products and attempting to influence consumer behaviour - especially young consumers.

The Minister also released a "Consumer Warning" about so-called "light" and "mild" cigarettes - to inform Canadians that, regardless of what the tobacco companies may say, such cigarettes have the same debilitating and lethal potential as regular cigarettes.

Heath Canada will launch a public information campaign on "light" and "mild" cigarettes to clear up any confusion on this vital point.