In an effort to discourage young people from starting to smoke and to support those who are already addicted, Canada is going to be the first country in the world to begin printing warnings directly onto individual cigarettes.
Phrases like "Cigarettes cause cancer" and "Poison in every puff" will be included in the warnings, which will be presented in both English and French.
On Tuesday, the newly promulgated regulations will become law. The new cautionary labels will first become visible to people in Canada the following year.
By July 2024, producers will be required to ensure that the warnings are printed on all king-size cigarettes that are marketed, and by April 2025, the warnings will need to be printed on all regular-size cigarettes and small cigars that come with tipping paper and tubes.
The sentences will be displayed by the filter, including warnings on how the substance is harmful to youngsters, how it can damage organs, how it can cause impotence, and how it can cause leukemia.
According to a statement released by Health Canada in May, the newly implemented standards "will make it practically hard to bypass health warnings" on tobacco products.
In 2026, a second set of six phrases will be inscribed on cigarettes. The decision comes after a period of public consultation that lasted for an entire year and is a part of Canada's larger aim to lower the percentage of people who use tobacco to fewer than 5% by the year 2035.
Since 1989, Canada has mandated the printing of warning labels on cigarette packages, and in 2000, the country adopted requirements for pictorial warning labels on tobacco product packaging.
Health Canada stated that it intends to increase warnings by printing additional warning labels on the packaging and introducing new external warning messages.
Dr. Robert Schwartz of the University of Toronto told sources that Canada's progress with this innovation was positive news. He also mentioned that health warnings on individual cigarettes will likely encourage some smokers to cease and may discourage some young people from beginning to smoke.
New Zealand, which has introduced cigarettes with extremely low levels of nicotine, was also cited as a leader in tobacco control. Mr. Schwartz added, "These sorts of measures are required if we are sincere about reducing tobacco use."
Each year, tobacco use continues to murder 48,000 Canadians. Previously, Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos stated that tobacco use continues to be one of Canada's most significant public health issues and the primary preventable cause of disease and premature death in Canada.
Warning labels have been applauded by the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Canadian Lung Association.
All three organizations have expressed their optimism that the measures may discourage people from starting to smoke, particularly young people.
It is well accepted that smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for developing lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
According to the results of a national survey conducted by 2021 Tobacco and Nicotine, the percentage of people aged 15 or older who smoke in Canada is approximately 10%, while the usage of electronic cigarettes has still been on the rise.
