Canada is set to become the world’s first country to enforce warning labels on individual cigarette packages, as part of an initiative to assist smokers in quitting. The warnings, presented in both English and French, include phrases such as “poison in every puff,” “tobacco smoke harms children,” and “cigarettes cause impotence.” The announcement, initially made by Health Canada last year, aims to make the health risks associated with smoking more prominent.
The new regulations will come into effect on August 1, with a phased implementation plan. King-size cigarettes will be the first to bear the warnings and will be available in stores by the end of July 2024. Regular-size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper and tubes will follow suit by the end of April 2025.
Canada’s Mental Health and Addictions Minister, Carolyn Bennett, hailed the move as a significant step, ensuring that health warning messages become nearly impossible to ignore. The strategy aligns with Health Canada’s goal of reducing tobacco use to below 5% by 2035. According to Ms. Bennett, tobacco use claims the lives of 48,000 Canadians annually.
Doug Roth, CEO of the Heart & Stroke charity, expressed support for the measure, emphasizing its role in raising awareness about the detrimental effects of smoking on lung health. It is worth noting that Canada has already banned tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and has required warning labels on cigarette packages since 1972. In 2001, the country became a pioneer by mandating tobacco companies to incorporate visual warnings on the exterior of cigarette packs and include inserts with health-related messages.
