Archive for June 24th, 2009
Update on bill c-32
From Rob Cunningham at the Canadian Cancer Society:
Yesterday, the Senate rose for the summer. The Senate will return on Tuesday Sept. 15.
Regrettably, Bill C-32 did not pass prior to the recess.
Bill C-32 did receive First Reading in the Senate on June 17. On Monday June 22, Second Reading debate did begin, with a speech by Conservative Senator Dr. Wilbert Keon, the heart surgeon. To read the speech, visit Hansard:
English: http://www.parl.gc.ca/40/2/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-e/049db_2009-06-22-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=40&Ses=2#50
French: http://www.parl.gc.ca/40/2/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-f/049db_2009-06-22-f.htm?Language=F&Parl=40&Ses=2#50
Bill C-32 was not further debated yesterday.
To be adopted by the Senate, Bill C-32 will need to receive Second Reading, Committee consideration and approval, and Third Reading.
Delays in adopting the bill will result in delay implementing the bill’s provisions. The ban on advertising in newspapers and magazines comes into force on the day of Royal Assent. That means that Canada will face another summer of tobacco advertising in publications. The ban on flavoured cigarillos, blunt wraps and cigarettes (menthol excepted) comes into force 6 months after Royal Assent at the manufacturer level, and 9 months after Royal Assent at the retail level. Thus these flavoured products will remain available to kids for at least three months longer than if the bill had been adopted by now.
Thank you to the many, many people who contacted Senators urging adoption of Bill C-32. While unfortunately the bill did not pass prior to the summer recess, this broad communication of support from across Canada has been very important and helpful. All of this will help in the autumn as we seek Senate passage. The Senate has heard from many voices about the importance of this bill passing. Thank you.
Note that opponents of the bill have also been communicating to Senators. A further reason why our voice has been — and will be –important.
The importance of this bill is underlined by the fact that the bill has passed the industry “scream” test. The industry, especially Philip Morris (the RBH parent company), is very concerned by this bill. Cigarettes in Canada are basically unflavoured except for menthol, and except for perhaps less than 1% of the market that are U.S. imports, for a few other brands such as Gauloises or Gitanes (which are apparently made in the RBH factory in Quebec City.) In an effort to block the bill, the industry has come up with bogus claims of trade violations, bogus claims of job losses at the Quebec City RBH factory, among other misinformation.
With advertising increasingly being restricted the industry will place increasing importance on flavourings to attract and retain consumers – that is if the industry is allowed to get away with it. Fortunately, Bill C-32 will clamp down on this potential avenue. Internationally, flavourings in cigarettes are more important than is currently the case in Canada.
On Friday, about 100 employees of the Quebec City factory of Rothmans, Benson & Hedges were bused in for the protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office (Langevin Building on Wellington Street). The group also went across the street to Parliament Hill. There was very little media interest in this.
