Federal Politics Journal

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that a re-elected Conservative Government will take further action against tobacco products being marketed to children. The Prime Minister made the announcement after a roundtable discussion with Niagara Region parents about fruit and candy flavoured cigarillos sold in colourful and slick packages, some priced less than a toonie.

“As a parent, I was appalled to see tobacco being marketed in a way that is so enticing to children. Flavouring and packaging them like candy, gum or a fruit roll up,” said Prime Minister Harper. “This just isn’t right. This practice can’t continue. We will not tolerate it.”

“Kiddy packs” of cigarettes are already banned. Cigarillos are not subject to the existing rules because they are constructed differently than cigarettes. (Cigarettes are rolled in paper; cigarillos are rolled in tobacco leaves.)

The Prime Minister explained that a re-elected Conservative Government will ban “kiddy packs” of cigarillos and other tobacco products by:

1. Setting a minimum package size for cigarillos that is less affordable for children.
2. Prohibiting flavour and additives that would appeal to children.
3. Banning all tobacco advertising and promotion in print and electronic media which may be viewed and read by youth.

“Today’s announcement isn’t about curtailing freedoms for adults. It’s about blocking tobacco marketing to which children are susceptible,” concluded the Prime Minister.

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