According to the BBC, Canada’s health authorities have stated that warning labels would soon be placed directly on cigarettes. Each cigarette in the new package will bear the warning labels “Poison in every puff” and “Cigarettes cause cancer.” The campaign, which attempts to aid people in quitting smoking, was first introduced by Health Canada last year. The new restrictions will take effect on August 1. According to the outlet, regular-size cigarettes have until July 31, 2024, to include the warnings on single smokes, while little cigars with tipping paper and tubes must do so by the end of April 2025.
According to a statement issued by Health Canada on Wednesday, the new legislation “will make it virtually impossible to avoid health warnings” on tobacco products. In Canada, cigarette packs already feature warning labels. According to the Health Ministry, it plans to expand it by printing additional warning labels within the box and adding new outside warning statements.
“We are taking action by being the first country in the world to label individual cigarettes with health warning messages”: Minister of Mental Health
According to Health Canada, the policy aims to reduce tobacco consumption to less than 5% by 2035. The new legislation also aims to improve health-related graphic representations on cigarette packs. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health, said in a statement, “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.”
She continued, “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 stop smoking and help young people to live healthy tobacco-free lives.”