Candy is Dandy But Not When It Comes To Cigarillos

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario welcomed the introduction of legislation to crack down on the marketing of novelty tobacco products designed to attract young smokers. Bill 124 will enhance existing regulations in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act that will further serve to restrict the marketing of novelty tobacco products. “We are very grateful to France Gélinas, MPP, Nickel Belt, and Dave Levac, MPP, Brant, for proposing legislation to strengthen Ontario’s tobacco laws and to protect young Canadians from dangerous novelty tobacco products,” said Rocco Rossi, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. “We hope that all parliamentarians will work together to support the speedy passage of this law.” In recent years, candy-flavoured cigarillos and other novelty tobacco products have become a significant threat to Ontario youth. Health Canada data shows that sales of cigarillos have grown by over 300% per year, from fewer than 50,000 units to over 80 million between 2001 and 2006. In a recent federal government survey of smoking behavior showed that Canadian teenagers are even more likely to try smoking cigarillos than they are to experiment with cigarettes, and that many teenagers who resist smoking cigarettes are drawn into cigarillo use. “In terms of addiction and other health effects, these products are as dangerous as cigarettes; because they are especially attractive to young Canadians, they have the added risk of being ’starter’ products for people who might otherwise never become smokers,” says Rocco Rossi. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, smoking is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and diseases of the vascular system. Smoking-related cardiovascular disease is responsible for more than 6,000 deaths in Ontario each year.

Now it’s British Columbia’s turn.