Canadian Cancer Society calls on Ontario government to support Bill 124

    Legislation to ban flavoured cigarillos will protect health of children

    TORONTO, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society urges the Ontario
government and all MPPs to support Bill 124, a private members bill that would
eliminate candy flavours in cigarillos and make 20 the minimum package size.
    Cigarillos are available in candy flavours such as grape, chocolate and
ice cream, packaged in bright candy-like colours and sold one at a time for
one dollar or less, making them easily affordable for young people
experimenting with smoking. "Parents may not even be aware that these are
tobacco products," says Rowena Pinto, Senior Director, Public Affairs, Ontario
Division, Canadian Cancer Society.
    "We hope the Ontario government does the right thing today and stops the
marketing of these tobacco products to young people. Marketing an addictive
cancer-causing product is threatening the health of our children," says Pinto.
    In a rare move, the private members bill was co-sponsored by MPPs from
two different parties: David Levac (Brant) for the Liberals and France Gélinas
(Nickel Belt) for the NDP. Bill 124's second reading will be voted on by the
Legislature today.
    "That this legislation was proposed by members of two different parties
underscores its importance as a public health measure," says Pinto. "Flavoured
cigarillos are addictive cancer-causing products deliberately designed and
sold in a way to appeal to young people. Since research has shown that most
smokers start before the age of 18, we are very concerned with youth
experimenting with smoking."
    During the recent federal election, the Prime Minister announced his
party's commitment to set a minimum package size and restrict the use of
flavour in tobacco products. The Society supports this commitment; however,
action is needed now to prevent youth from accessing flavoured cigarillos.

    Fast facts

    -   A University of Waterloo Youth Smoking Survey (06-07) found that 35%
        of Canadian youth in Grades 10 to 12 have tried cigarillos.
    -   Flavoured cigarillos are small cigars that have about the same size
        and feel as a cigarette and are packaged to look like candy.
    -   Because they are rolled in tobacco leaf rather than paper, cigarillos
        are exempt from regulations applicable to cigarettes regarding health
        warnings and package size restrictions.
    -   Cigarillos are available as singles for as little as $1 at
        convenience stores.

    The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of
volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of
the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more
about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual
Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

For further information: Christine Koserski, Media Relations, Ontario
Division, Canadian Cancer Society: (416) 323-7030, or
ckoserski@ontario.cancer.ca