Canada Proposal: Warnings on Tobacco Packages

Nearly every panel of a cigarette pack, both inside and out, would be covered with graphic images and health warnings, under a proposed regulation.

February 22, 2011

OTTAWA - Health Canada released larger and more graphic health warnings for cigarette packages last week, part of draft regulations that would require labels and warning to be included on the inside and outside of packs, the Montreal Gazette reports.

Twelve new images to cover 75 percent of the outside of cigarette packages were introduced along with eight new health message that will appear on the inside in full color, distinguishing Canada??s tobacco warnings from other countries.

"Canada is the only country in the world that actually takes over the inside of the package as well as the outside," said Cynthia Callard, executive director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.

Tobacco companies would be required also to include four toxic emission messages for the side panel, along with a toll-free smoking cessation telephone line.

The draft regulations would be required take effect at the manufacturer and distributor levels by the end of this year and at the retail level by March 2012.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq committed to the regulations in December, releasing four of the 16 picture-based messages.

The new packaging will not apply to untaxed cigarettes sold on aboriginal reserves.

There will be a 75-day public comment period on the proposed regulations, with information available on the Health Canada website.

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