The Canadian Cancer Society says Canada has introduced the most comprehensive plain-packaging cigarette regulations in the world, setting the tone for other countries.
Plain-packaged cigarettes have begun popping up on shelves as the tobacco industry prepares for Health Canada’s regulations to take effect on November 9. From that date, stores will have a grace period of 90 days to sell their stocks of existing packaging.
The regional director for public policy with the Canadian Cancer Society, Kelly Cull, says the aim is to turn young people away from smoking, and get the percentage of smokers down to five per cent by 2035.
Cull says the multi-faceted approach the country has taken has set them apart.
She says regardless of the brand you buy, the package will look the same (brown) with the exception of the language used to describe the product.
(Mock up of packaging design, courtesy Health Canada.)
In addition to that, Canada has banned slim and super-slim cigarettes, that have been often marketed particularly towards women.
The other unique piece here in Canada, Cull says, is standardizing into the “slide and shelf” format.
Cull says by 2021, all packages will look the same, with a very square product emphasizing the impact of health warnings.
Those warnings will be very prominent and on display on the cigarette packages themselves—another area where Canada has taken the lead.
