Ottawa –The Canadian Lung Association welcomes today’s announcement from Health Minister Jane Philpott of new legislation to ban menthol cigarettes in Canada.
"Flavoured tobacco targets young Canadians. This new legislation closes a loophole around menthol cigarettes," says Debra Lynkowski, president and CEO of the Canadian Lung Association. “Menthol is the most popular flavour among Canadian youth. We are pleased to see that the federal government is taking measures to protect our youth.”
The most recent national Youth Smoking Survey found that 32 per cent of smokers in high school smoke menthols. Menthol cigarettes have been directly linked to higher nicotine addiction among youth in Canada, according to a recent study from the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact at the University of Waterloo.
The announcement was published online today in the Canada Gazette, Part I, and is to be followed by a 30-day consultation period. The ban on menthol would apply to cigarettes, blunt wraps, and most cigars.
About the Canadian Lung Association
Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs and advocacy on lung heath issues. For more information, visitwww.lung.ca
