Big Tobacco wants to weaken bill c-32
Action Alert from Canadian Cancer Society:
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology is meeting tomorrow, Wed. Sept. 30, at 4:00pm. This is the final scheduled meeting where witnesses are to be heard. It is possible that immediately following the witnesses tomorrow, the Committee will give clause by clause consideration to the bill. It is at this point that any amendments will be considered. The Committee could approve the bill without amendments, which is what health organizations are recommending.
The tobacco industry has increased its lobbying campaign, and we need to respond.
Please take a moment to email all Senators on the Committee to ask them to oppose any amendments to weaken the bill, including the name of your organization in your email. Please ask your networks to do the same. Here is an email list of Senators on the Committee that you could cut and paste into your email:
callbc@sen.parl.gc.ca; cookj@sen.parl.gc.ca; cordyj@sen.parl.gc.ca; dyckli@sen.parl.gc.ca; egglea@sen.parl.gc.ca; fairbj@sen.parl.gc.ca; keonw@sen.parl.gc.ca; pepinl@sen.parl.gc.ca; martiny@sen.parl.gc.ca; eatonn@sen.parl.gc.ca; kfl@sen.parl.gc.ca; stratt@sen.parl.gc.ca; ogilvk@sen.parl.gc.ca;
Here is a sample email (but it is best if you say things in your own words, or add a short personal/organizational perspective):
Dear Honourable Senators:
I am writing to urge you to support Bill C-32 without any amendments. Please oppose the amendment supported by the tobacco industry that would allow flavours in cigarettes. This would weaken the bill.
Yours truly,
Employment Opportunity
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Research Coordinator (2 Positions)
Initial Assignment: Canadian Action Network for the Advancement, Dissemination, and Adoption of Practice-informed Tobacco Treatment (CAN-ADAPTT) Practice-Based Research Network, Addictions Program
Position Description:
The Nicotine Dependence Clinic CAN-ADAPTT project at the Centre for Addiction and MentalHealth is seeking two highly energetic and motivated individuals with project coordination experience and computer skills to work on a knowledge translation and better practices project as Research Coordinators. The candidates must be able to work independently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment. He/she will maintain contact with non-CAMH partners and program participants and other key stakeholders. This position is currently located at 175 College Street but may involve some travel. Reporting to the CAN-ADAPTT Manager, you will provide coordination for a segment of the Canadian Action Network. You will work closely with the Manager and Network Coordinator to:
- Proactively engage health care providers, researchers, and policy makers to participate in the network
- Stimulate and solicit ideas for new studies from practitioners and researchers
- Facilitate liaisons between practitioner/providers and researchers
- Organize regional meetings, workplans, and assessments at participating practices
- Liaise with community organizations and other tobacco control projects
- Administer the regional network
- Coordinate research projects
- Develop conference abstracts and submissions
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will possess a Master’s degree in a related field. This position requires superior negotiation skills, the ability to build and maintain relationships in order to negotiate within a large project with multiple stakeholders. Leadership and team player skills are essential as well as a proactive attitude and a willingness to be committed and strive for continuous improvement. The successful candidate should have the ability to explain complex issues in plain language both verbally and in writing, be skilled in web-based collaboration, and have demonstrated proficiency with a variety of software packages including project management, word-processing and presentation software. You will have excellent interpersonal, communication (verbal/written), organizational skills and a solid understanding of research methodology. You have demonstrated experience required to assist in the development of research proposals, review literature, and write reports. You have an understanding of provincial health networks, health care professionals and researchers. Candidates require the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.Knowledge of tobacco control programs, policy, and research would be definite assets. Bilingualism (French/English) and/or proficiency in a second language would be an asset.
Please Note: These two full-time, 7-month contract positions (until March 31, 2010) are part of the
OPSEU Bargaining Unit.
Salary Range: $28.24 – $38.09 per hour
Please forward your résumé to:
Human Resources
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
1001 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario Fax: (416) 583-4316
M6J 1H4 E-mail: jobs@camh.net
Please remember to include the File Number when applying.
File Number: 09423
As an employment equity employer CAMH actively seeks Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities,
women, people with disabilities, (including people with who have experienced mental health
and substance use challenges), and additional diverse identities for our workforce.
Canadian health leaders call for action on Bill c-32
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Coalition-For-Action-On-Tobacco-1042855.html
Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco
Sep 10, 2009 11:31 ET
Protecting children should be Senate’s priority
Health groups call for passage of Bill C-32 before potential election call.
Attention: Health/Medical Editor, Government/Political Affairs Editor
OTTAWA–(Marketwire – Sept. 10, 2009) – (Ottawa) – Canada’s major health organizations are calling on the Senate of Canada to give priority to the passage of Bill C-32 (Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act). The legislation would stop tobacco companies from using fruit, candy and other flavourings in cigarettes and cigarillos and would ban tobacco ads in publications that can be viewed by youth. C-32 was introduced in the House of Commons by Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq to implement a commitment made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“Canada’s doctors are calling on Senators to pass Bill C-32 quickly,” said Dr. Anne Doig, President of the Canadian Medical Association. “Skyrocketing use of flavoured tobacco products is a significant new threat to the health of young Canadians.”
Over the past half decade, tobacco companies have developed flavoured cigarillos as a new category of tobacco products and have exploited loopholes in federal tobacco laws to sell these products without the health warnings, minimum package size or other requirements imposed on cigarettes. Health Canada surveys show that one in three high school aged Canadians (aged 15-19) have used these products and that sales of these products have increased more than 900% in six years.
Sally Brown, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada explained that the speed with which these products have reached young people has alarmed health regulators across Canada. “We thought we had successfully protected many children from experimenting with cigarettes only to find that they were caught by the marketers of these colourful novelty products.” She urged Senators to give priority to putting C-32 into force. “Every month this bill is delayed puts the health of the 200,000 Canadian children who use these products at greater risk.”
“Senators should consider that these gimmicky products act as a gateway drug to lifelong tobacco use,” said Cynthia Callard, Executive Director of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. “The candy flavouring, the colourful packaging, the cheap price and the mistaken belief that these are not as harmful as cigarettes all combine to successfully tempt young people to experiment with smoking. For many, this experiment will prove fatal.” Canadian researchers have found that symptoms of tobacco addiction are seen in young people after only a very few smoking experiences.
“Not surprisingly, the tobacco industry is working furiously to delay or defeat this legislation, and is engaging in classic industry disinformation campaigns” said Rob Cunningham, a lawyer, and Senior Policy Analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society. Cunningham, author of a book examining the history of Canadian tobacco industry, pointed to several past threats of companies to retaliate to stronger tobacco laws.
He explained that the campaign against C-32 launched by Philip Morris International in Washington D.C. is another familiar tactic used by that company to forestall improvements to tobacco laws. “Once again we are seeing trade agreements thrown up in a bogus attempt to raise confusion and doubt about the responsibility of Canada’s government to protect the health of young Canadians in a hope to delay passage of this bill.” Philip Morris has previously made similar claims when attempting, ultimately unsuccessfully, to block Canada from adopting pictorial health warnings and from ending the use of the terms ‘light’ and ‘mild’ on cigarette packaging.
“Philip Morris claims that C-32 will ban burley tobacco in Canada, raise trade issues and harm U.S. farmers are all entirely false,” added Cunningham. “The fact that U.S. burley exports to Canada are negligible – and in some years so low as to be non-reportable or barely reportable – means that Philip Morris is manufacturing a trade concern when none exists. There is no burley tobacco trade issue with the U.S. None.”
“The importance and urgency of this issue is reflected in the priority it has received from the highest levels of government and the broad support of the health community,” explained Robert Walsh, executive director of the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control. In the two years since the evidence became available of the extent to which these products had successfully targeted young Canadians, several legislative and regulatory proposals have been forwarded to address them, including a 2008 election commitment by Prime Minister Harper, and Liberal and NDP private member’s bills in provincial and federal parliaments. Bill C-32 received unanimous support in the House of Commons.
“We are calling on Canada’s Senators to endorse the urgent desire of their colleagues and communities across Canada to see this legislation in place as soon as possible,” emphasized Melodie Tilson, Director of Policy with the Non-Smokers’ Rights Association.
The Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco is a national coalition of health organizations. Members supporting this initiative include: the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control, the Canadian Dental Association, , the Canadian Medical Association, Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Non-Smokers’ Rights Association, and Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.
/For further information: Canadian Cancer Society: Rob Cunningham (613) 565-2522 x 305
Canadian Council for Tobacco Control: Rob Walsh (613) 567-3050 x 107
Canadian Dental Association: Basia Vanderveen, (613) 523-1770
Canadian Medical Association: Lucie Boileau (613) 731-8610 x 1266
Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac: Flory Doucas (514) 598-5533
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada: Eileen Melnick McCarthy (613) 569-4361, x 318
Non-Smokers’ Rights Association: Melodie Tilson (613) 230-4211 x 3
For more information, please contact
Cynthia Callard, Executive Director, Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada
Primary Phone: 613-233-4878
Secondary Phone: 613-850-5594
————————————————————————————-\
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/La-Coalition-Canadienne-Pour-L’Action-Sur-Le-Tabac-1042856.html
La Coalition canadienne pour l’action sur le tabac
Sep 10, 2009 11:31 ET
La protection des enfants devrait être la priorité du Sénat
Des groupes sur la santé réclament l’adoption du projet de loi C-32 avant un possible déclenchement des élections.
Attention: Rédacteur de la santé, Rédacteur aux affaires politiques et gouvernementales
OTTAWA–(Marketwire – 10 sept. 2009) – Les principales organisations de santé du Canada pressent le Sénat de traiter en priorité l’adoption du projet de loi C-32 (Loi restreignant la commercialisation du tabac auprès des jeunes). Cette mesure législative empêcherait les fabricants de produits du tabac d’ajouter des saveurs de fruits et de bonbons et d’autres arômes dans les cigarettes et les cigarillos, et interdirait les publicités sur le tabac dans des publications pouvant être lues par des jeunes. Le projet de loi C-32 a été soumis à la Chambre des communes par la ministre de la Santé Leona Aglukkaq afin de respecter un engagement pris par le Premier ministre Stephen Harper.
« Les médecins canadiens exhortent les sénateurs à adopter le projet de loi C-32 sans attendre, a dit le Dr Anne Doig, présidente de l’Association médicale canadienne. La consommation de produits du tabac aromatisés monte en flèche, et représente une nouvelle menace considérable pour la santé des jeunes Canadiens. »
Depuis cinq ans, les compagnies productrices de tabac conçoivent des cigarillos aromatisés comme une nouvelle catégorie de produits du tabac, et exploitent les lacunes des lois fédérales afin de vendre ces produits sans respecter les mises en garde sur la santé, les conditions sur l’emballage minimal et d’autres exigences imposées aux cigarettes. Des sondages de Santé Canada indiquent qu’un Canadien sur trois dans les écoles secondaires (entre 15 et 19 ans) consomme ces produits, et que la vente de ces produits a augmenté de plus de 900 % en six ans.
Sally Brown, première dirigeante de la Fondation des maladies du cœur du Canada a expliqué que la vitesse à laquelle ces produits atteignent les jeunes alarme les responsables de la réglementation sur la santé, partout au Canada. « Nous pensions avoir réussi à protéger de nombreux enfants contre la cigarette, uniquement pour constater qu’ils sont victimes du marketing de ces nouveaux produits colorés. » Elle presse les sénateurs de traiter en priorité l’adoption du projet de loi C-32. « Chaque mois de retard dans l’adoption de cette mesure législative met en péril la santé des 200 000 enfants canadiens qui consomment ces produits. »
« Les sénateurs devraient tenir compte du fait que ces produits « gadgets » sont le début d’une vie entière de consommation de tabac, a dit Cynthia Callard, directrice exécutive de l’organisation Médecins pour un Canada sans fumée. Les arômes de bonbon, les emballages colorés, les bas prix et la fausse croyance selon laquelle ces produits ne sont pas aussi dangereux que la cigarette réussissent à inciter les jeunes à fumer. Pour nombre d’entre eux, cette expérience sera fatale. » Des chercheurs canadiens ont découvert que les symptômes de la dépendance au tabac sont constatés chez des jeunes après seulement quelques consommations.
« Fait non surprenant, l’industrie du tabac met tout en œuvre pour retarder ou empêcher l’adoption de cette mesure législative, et fait une campagne de désinformation classique », a dit Rob Cunningham, avocat et analyste principal des politiques à la Société canadienne du cancer. M. Cunningham, auteur d’un ouvrage sur l’histoire de l’industrie du tabac au Canada, rappelle que des compagnies de tabac ont menacé plusieurs fois de prendre des mesures de représailles si des lois plus sévères étaient imposées.
Il a expliqué que la campagne contre le projet de loi C-32 lancée par Philip Morris International à Washington, D.C., est une autre tactique couramment utilisée par ce fabricant pour empêcher des améliorations aux lois sur le tabac. « Une fois de plus, nous sommes témoins d’accords commerciaux tentant de semer la confusion et le doute quant à la responsabilité du gouvernement du Canada de protéger la santé des jeunes Canadiens dans l’espoir de retarder l’adoption de ce projet de loi. » Philip Morris a déjà tenté, sans succès, d’empêcher le Canada de faire des mises en garde illustrées et de mettre un terme à l’utilisation des appellations « légères » et « douces » sur les paquets de cigarettes.
« Philip Morris soutient que le projet de loi C-32 interdira le tabac Burley au Canada, violera des accords commerciaux et nuira aux agriculteurs des États-Unis, ce qui est totalement faux, ajoute M. Cunningham. Le fait que les importations américaines de tabac Burley au Canada sont négligeables – et, certaines années, si faibles qu’elles n’ont pas à être signalées – démontre que Philip Morris invente une préoccupation commerciale sans raison valable. Il n’y aucun enjeu commercial avec le tabac Burley des États-Unis. Aucun. »
« L’importance et l’urgence de cette question sont illustrées par la priorité qu’y accordent les plus hauts paliers de gouvernement et le vaste soutien du milieu de la santé », a expliqué Robert Walsh, directeur exécutif du Conseil canadien pour le contrôle du tabac. Au cours des deux années après que la mesure dans laquelle ces produits ciblent efficacement les jeunes Canadiens a été prouvée, plusieurs propositions législatives et réglementaires ont été formulées, notamment l’engagement électoral pris en 2008 par le Premier ministre Harper et des projets de loi d’initiative parlementaire du Parti libéral et du NPD, aux paliers provincial et fédéral. Le projet de loi C-32 a reçu un appui unanime à la Chambre des communes.
« Nous demandons aux sénateurs canadiens de respecter la volonté pressante de leurs collègues et des communautés partout au pays de voir cette mesure législative avoir force de loi dès que possible », a souligné Melodie Tilson, directrice des politiques de l’Association pour les droits des non-fumeurs.
La Coalition canadienne pour l’action sur le tabac, est une coalition nationale
d’organismes de santé. Les membres qui appuient cette initiative comprennent la Société
canadienne du cancer, le Conseil canadien pour le contrôle du tabac, l’Association dentaire canadienne, l’Association médicale canadienne, la Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac, la Fondation des maladies du coeur du Canada, l’Association pour les droits des non-fumeurs et Médecins pour un Canada sans fumée.
/Renseignements:
Société canadienne du cancer : Rob Cunningham (613) 565-2522, poste 305
Conseil canadien pour le contrôle du tabac : Rob Walsh (613) 567-3050, poste 107
Association dentaire canadienne : Basia Vanderveen (613) 523-1770
Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac : Flory Doucas (514) 598-5533
Fondation des maladies du cœur du Canada : Eileen Melnick McCarthy (613) 569-4361, poste 318
Association pour les droits des non-fumeurs : Melodie Tilson (613) 230-4211, poste 3
Médecins pour un Canada sans fumée: Cynthia Callard (613) 233-4878
For more information, please contact
Lucie Boileau, l’Association médicale canadienne
Numéro de téléphone: 613-731-8610 poste 1266
———————————————————————–\
Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac
Le jeudi 10 septembre 2009
Au directeur des nouvelles:
Projet de loi antitabac victime des élections imminentes?
Au cas où vous décidiez de faire un survol du sort des diverses législations qui pourraient être victimes des élections imminentes, nous aimerions attirer votre attention sur le Projet de loi C-32. Cette législation amenderait la Loi sur le tabac pour interdire les cigarettes et cigarillos aromatisés, de même que les publicités en faveur du tabac dans les imprimés.
Durant l’été, Philip Morris International (PMI) a contre-attaqué le projet de loi sur au moins deux fronts. La compagnie a menacé la fermeture de son usine à Québec (Rothmans, Beson & Hedges), même si seulement un petit pourcentage de la production de cette usine serait affecté par la nouvelle loi (voir article1 et article2). Elle a aussi sonné l’alarme concernant la « dégradation des relations de commerces » entre les États-Unis et le Canada dans deux publicités faisant partie d’une vaste campagne publicitaire auprès des élus américains en août (voir publicité1 et publicité2). (Notez que PMI et les tabaculteurs n’osent pas dire de façon explicite que la législation viole une ou des ententes du commerce international.)
Le projet de loi C-32 est maintenant rendu au Sénat. Or, nous savons qu’au moins un ministre (Josée Verner) a rencontré les employés de l’usine RBH et que cette réunion a eu lieu la semaine dernière, bien après l’étude et l’adoption de la législation par la Chambre des communes. De plus, au moins un député (Maxime Bernier) a déclaré son intention de faire des représentations auprès du Sénat pour obtenir des modifications (voir l’article en question et notre réponse).
En somme, les groupes de santé sont très inquiets du sort de ce projet de loi. Ça fait près de trois ans que nous travaillons pour interdire les cigarillos aromatisés, et tout amendement à ce stade-ci représenterait un délai très dangereux pour la loi, surtout compte tenu des élections probables.
Voici quelques autres liens pertinents :
http://cqct.qc.ca/Communiques_docs/2006/PRSS_06_10_18_cigarillos.htm
http://cqct.qc.ca/Documents_docs/DOCU_2006/MEMO_06_10_18_PlaintesCigarillosSC.pdf http://cqct.qc.ca/Communiques_docs/2008/PRSS_08_04_08_PhotosCigarillos.htm
http://www.smoke-free.ca/eng_home/news_press_2009-June-17.htm
http://www.smoke-free.ca/pdf_1/2009/Flavoured-Jun2.pdf
Salutations cordiales,
Flory Doucas
Codirectrice et porte-parole
Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac
514-515-6780
Action on Bill C-32
Update from Rob Cunningham:
Bill C-32 was approved by the House of Commons on June 17 and sent to the Senate the same day. On June 22, Conservative Senator Dr. Wilbert Keon led off Second Reading debate. Debate was adjourned. No further Senate consideration of the bill was given prior to the Senate rising for the summer on June 23.
The House of Commons returns on Monday Sept. 14. The Senate returns the next day, on Tuesday Sept. 15. The next procedural step is for a second reading speech from a Liberal Senator, and for the bill to be referred to a Senate Committee for consideration.
The Senate is not sitting the week of Sept. 21, but is scheduled to sit during the week of Sept. 28.
There has been extensive media discussion regarding a confidence vote in the House of Commons during the week of Sept. 28. Oct. 1 has been suggested as a date. If the government is defeated, then an election will be called. If an election is called and Bill C-32 is not yet passed, then Bill C-32 will die.
It will be essential for Senators to hear from Canadians about the importance of passing Bill C-32 without amendment.
Please get ready – An ACTION ALERT will be coming soon.
Canadian Tobacco Accomplishments so far this year…
From Rob Cunningham (at CCS National)….
Canadian Tobacco Control Progress – First Six Months of 2009
Compiled Aug. 14, 2009
Tax Increases
Feb. 18, 2009 BC $1.20 $0.60
Mar. 26, 2009 Man $2.00 $1.00
Apr. 1, 2009 NWT $11.60 $2.80
Apr. 8, 2009 Alta $3.00 $11.50
Jun. 23, 2009 NS $10.00 $5.00
July 1, 2010 Ont ~$5.00 ~$2.00 announced in Mar. 26, 2009 Ontario Budget
(not a change to tobacco tax, but implementation of the
8% provincial portion of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) ).
July 1, 2010 BC ~$6.00 ~$2.40 announced July 23, 2009
(not a change to tobacco tax, but implementation of the
7% provincial portion of Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) ).
Jan. 1, 2011 Que $0.60 $0.30 announced in Mar. 19, 2009 Budget
(adjustment for QST increase from 7.5% to 8.5%)
Contraband Prevention
Alberta legislation with contraband prevention measures introduced Apr. 20, 2009 and receives Royal Assent June 4, 2009.
Manitoba 2009 Budget (Mar. 25, 2009) includes some contraband prevention measures.
Ontario 2009 Budget (Mar. 26, 2009) includes some contraband prevention measures.
Quebec 2009 Budget (Mar. 19, 2009) includes increased funding to combat contraband, and specifically for ACCES tabac (Actions concertées pour contrer les economies souterraines – tabac).
Federal Minister of National Revenue Jean-Pierre Blackburn, on Apr. 7, 2009, announces tighter controls on licensing of tobacco manufacturers and that an advertising campaign will be launched to “tell smokers what impact smuggling has on society”.
House of Commons motion adopted unanimously May 7, 2009 calls for action on contraband.
Liberal Health Promotion critic Dr. Keith Martin introduces private member’s motion M-152 in the House of Commons on Jan. 26, 2009 calling for federal government action on contraband. Motion has not been debated.
Advertising
Federal Bill C-32 includes ban on tobacco advertising in all newspapers and magazines. Bill is introduced May 26, 2009, approved by House of Commons on June 17, 2009, and is now before Senate.
Retail Displays
Nfld and Lab adopts legislation to ban retail displays, to come into force on Jan. 1, 2010, becoming the 13th of 13 provinces/territories to adopt such legislation.
NB legislation to ban retail displays comes into force Jan. 1, 2009.
Yukon legislation to ban retail displays comes into force May 15, 2009.
Flavoured Tobacco Products
Federal Bill C-32 introduced May 26, 2009 to prohibit flavoured cigarettes, cigarillos and blunt wraps (menthol excepted); Bill C-32 was approved by House of Commons on June 17, 2009 and is now before the Senate.
New Brunswick legislation adopted to prohibit flavoured little cigars, and to prohibit other flavoured tobacco products (subject to any exemptions prescribed by regulation). Legislation awaiting proclamation.
Medicare Cost Recovery Legislation/Lawsuits
Ontario adopts medicare cost recovery legislation, and states that it will file a lawsuit against the tobacco industry.
Quebec adopts medicare cost recovery legislation.
Alberta introduces medicare cost recovery bill in Legislature – bill not yet adopted.
Smoke-free – Vehicles with Kids
Manitoba adopts legislation prohibiting smoking in vehicles with kids (age 16).
New Brunswick adopts legislation prohibiting smoking in vehicles with kids (age 16).
PEI adopts legislation prohibiting smoking in vehicles with kids (age 19).
Ontario smoke-free vehicles with kids legislation comes into force Jan. 21, 2009 (age 16).
BC Government, on Mar. 18, 2009, announces that smoke-free vehicles with kids legislation is proclaimed to come into force on Apr. 7, 2009 (age 16).
Quebec Health Minister’s spokesperson states on Apr. 14, 2009 that government is considering a ban on smoking in vehicles with kids.
Smoke-free Workplaces/Public Places
PEI adopts 100% smoke-free legislation for workplaces and public places, with legislation to come into effect Jan. 1, 2010. As a result all 13 provinces and territories will have 100% smoke-free restaurants and bars. Further, 12 of 13 provinces and territories will have 100% smoke-free workplaces (the exception being Nfld and Lab which permits designated smoking rooms in workplaces).
Saskatchewan regulation for 100% smoke-free workplaces comes into force May 31, 2009 (regulation adopted in late 2008).
BC regulation adopted Mar. 12, 2009 to prohibit staff smoking on premises of community care facilities, effective Oct. 1, 2009.
Smoke-free Outdoors
Yukon regulation adopted with a prohibition on smoking within 5 metre perimeter of patios, establishing a national and apparent world precedent for national/provincial/state/territorial levels of government (some B.C. municipalities have already done this).
Yukon regulation also prohibits smoking within 5 metres of entrances/exits, windows that open and air intakes.
Numerous municipalities in Canada adopt bylaws or policies to prohibit smoking in places such as patios, perimeter of patios, entrances/exits, parks, playgrounds, and other places. Municipalities include Richmond (BC), Whistler (BC), Toronto (ON), Truro (NS), St. John’s (NL), among many others, though the bylaw/policy provisions vary from municipality to municipality.
PEI legislation adopted to prohibit smoking on restaurant/bar patios (but with exception of between 10:00pm and 3:00am) and to prohibit smoking on hospital grounds (with exception of one hospital). The hospital grounds provision is a national precedent in terms of legislation.
More hospitals adopt voluntary policies to prohibit smoking on hospital grounds.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology 100% smoke-free campus policy comes into force July 1, 2009 (policy adopted Dec. 1, 2008).
Retail Locations, Licensing
Nfld and Lab adopts legislation to prohibit, effective Jan. 1, 2010, the sale of tobacco products at universities and colleges, provincial and municipal government buildings, provincial Crown corporation buildings, recreational facilities where the primary activity is physical recreation, theatre, cinema, library, art gallery, museum, amusement park, video or games arcade, and temporary facilities (“premises established in conjunction with fairs, circuses, concerts, festivals, civic events or another event lasting not longer than 7 consecutive days”).
Alberta legislation comes into force Jan. 1, 2009 prohibiting tobacco sales in hospitals and other health facilities, pharmacies and establishments containing a pharmacy, and universities and colleges.
N.S. tobacco retail licence fee increased from $108.83 to $112.09 for a three year period, effective April 1, 2009.
Candy/Imitation Tobacco Products
Yukon regulation adopted that bans confectionary and edible products designed to resemble a tobacco product, effective Sept. 1, 2009.
Divestment
NDP Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis introduces private member’s motion M-57 in the House of Commons on Jan. 26, 2009 calling for prohibition on Canada Pension Plan investing in tobacco holdings. Motion has not been debated.
Increased Funding for Programming
Saskatchewan, in Mar. 18, 2009 Budget, announces increase in funding for tobacco control.
NWT launches Quitline on Mar. 1, 2009
