Statement by the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, on enforcement of the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed At Youth Act
Statement
January 31, 2012
For immediate release
OTTAWA- Yesterday, Health Canada's tobacco inspectors conducted simultaneous seizures of little cigars at three Quebec-based importers.
The Tobacco Act prohibits the retail sale of cigarettes, little cigars and blunt wraps packaged in less than 20 units.
The Act also bans the use of certain additives - including additives used to create flavours like chocolate and bubble gum - in cigarettes, little cigars and blunt wraps, or any suggestion on their packages that the products contain these additives.
These measures aim to protect children and youth from marketing practices that encourage them to use tobacco products.
These seizures took place at the warehouses of Casa Cubana, Groupe Tabac Scandinave, and Distribution GVA Inc. They mark the first of such seizures at the importer level since the packaging requirements were changed as part of the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed At Youth Act, which came into force in 2010 as an amendment to the Tobacco Act.
The seizures, which affected 41 different product lines, followed the sampling and analysis of product lines and the issuance of a minimum of two warning letters to each of the importers. In total, more than 25 million units of product were seized.
The tobacco product lines seized include Colts Smooth Taste Rum & Wine, from Groupe Tabac Scandinave; Neos Selection Chocolate, from Distribution GVA; and Prime Time Plus Peach, from Casa Cubana.
The Department will continue to monitor manufacturer, importer and retailer compliance with the Tobacco Act, and will take action as needed.
By taking these steps today, our government is sending a strong message that marketing tobacco to children and youth is unacceptable. Our government will continue to take action to protect the health of Canada's children.
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Tobacco products seized by Health Canada under the Tobacco Act on January 30, 2012
-30-
Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
SOURCE