Every time a person lights a cigarette, the Canadian government wants to guarantee that they are aware of the risks associated with smoking.
Canada will be the first nation in the world to mandate the placement of health warnings on each individual cigarette.
Each cigarette sold in Canada will have printing on it that includes warnings such as “Cigarettes cause cancer,” “Cigarettes damage your organs,” and “Tobacco smoke harms children.”
The new rules will be applied gradually after they become law on August 1. By the end of July 2024, king-size cigarettes will have unique health labels, and regular-size cigarettes will have them by April 2025.
“Tobacco use continues to kill 48,000 Canadians each year. We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages,” said Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett. “This bold step will make health warning messages virtually unavoidable, and together with updated graphic images displayed on the package, will provide a real and startling reminder of the health consequences of smoking. We will continue to do whatever it takes to help more people in Canada, especially young people, live healthier, tobacco-free lives.”
The new Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging and Labelling Regulations in Canada are intended to encourage current smokers to give up the habit, and discourage potential new tobacco users. Canada has set a goal of reaching less than five per cent tobacco use by 2035.
“Tobacco use continues to be one of Canada’s most significant public health problems, and is the country’s leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in Canada,” said Health Minster Jean-Yves Duclos. “Our government is using every evidence-based tool at our disposal to help protect the health of Canadians, especially young people. Beginning next year, these new measures will help make sure that everyone across the country can receive credible information on the risks of tobacco use so they can make healthier choices for their wellbeing.”
