Flavored Tobacco Banned in Canada

The Government of Canada has put a ban in place on flavored tobacco.

The ban was proposed by the federal government on May 26.

Anti-smoking groups say the fruit-flavored cigarettes and small cigars were being marketed like candy to lure children into smoking.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the industry’s own internal documents showed it was using sweet flavors, like grape, banana and peach, to entice teenagers to try tobacco for the first time.

At a news conference in Ottawa, Aglukkaq also said tobacco is not candy and should never be mistaken as such.

On July 5, all flavored cigarettes, with the exception of menthol cigarettes, were banned from production and sale nationwide.

Retailers were given nine months prior to the ban to remove the flavoured products from their shelves.

Store owners caught selling the flavoured tobacco products will be subject to potential consequences including fines.