Health Experts Advocate for Lifetime Ban on Cigarette Sales to Individuals Born After 2008
Health experts in Canada are urging the federal government to consider implementing a lifetime ban on cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008. This proposal was inspired by a policy in New Zealand that has since been abandoned by the country’s new Prime Minister.
According to clinical scientist Andrew Pipe from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, this policy could effectively prevent the development of a new generation of nicotine addicts. Pipe emphasized that tobacco is the leading cause of disease, disability, and death in Canada, placing an enormous burden on the healthcare system.
The New Zealand government introduced a well-researched and academically reviewed policy in 2021, which was welcomed by advocates of tobacco control. However, the new Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has announced plans to repeal the tobacco policies before they take effect.
Dr. Pipe noted that the United Kingdom is also considering a similar approach presented by New Zealand, expressing cautious optimism that a submission by Ottawa Public Health could lead to its adoption in Canada. This pragmatic strategy aims to make a positive difference in the lives of young Canadians.
Ottawa’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, recommended in November that Canada should introduce a comparable approach to New Zealand’s Smoke-Free Generation Policy. Both countries share the goal of reducing the smoking rate to under five percent of the population.
One of the main provisions of New Zealand’s policy is to limit the nicotine content in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, reduce the number of retailers authorized to sell cigarettes, and prohibit individuals born after 2008 from purchasing them.
Health Canada responded to inquiries regarding the New Zealand policy, stating that they are currently analyzing the submissions from public consultations on reducing tobacco use in the country. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks’ office also indicated they would provide further information once the final report is complete.
The Canadian Cancer Society supports the implementation of the New Zealand policy, as the majority of Canadians who smoke began at a young age. Senior policy analyst Rob Cunningham stressed that this policy should encompass all tobacco and vaping products, as there has been a significant increase in youth vaping which must also be addressed.
To strengthen regulations, Cunningham suggested reducing the number of retail locations selling tobacco products and raising the minimum age for purchasing these products to 21, as seen in Prince Edward Island. Dr. Etches echoed these sentiments and called for an increase in the federal minimum age for purchasing tobacco, nicotine, and vaping products to 21, along with other measures.
The current Tobacco and Vaping Products Act prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 18 years old in Canada, but some provinces have set the age limit higher. The provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec allow sales to those who are 18, while the remaining provinces, excluding Prince Edward Island, have set the age limit at 19.
The introduction of a lifetime ban on cigarette sales to individuals born after 2008, inspired by New Zealand’s abandoned policy, is now being championed by Canadian health experts. This approach aims to prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine and alleviate the significant burden that tobacco places on Canada’s healthcare system. The proposal is awaiting further analysis from Health Canada and the Mental Health and Addictions Minister with hopes of improving the lives of young Canadians.
