Ontario poised to ban flavored cigarillos..

December 2, 2008 - Two members of the Ontario legislature (France Gélinas and Dave Levac) introduced a joint private member's bill on Thursday, 11/27/2008 that would ban the sale of single, flavored cigarillos (small cigar or cigarette wrapped in tobacco instead of paper) available in convenience stores for as little as $1 each. The bill would require that the cigarillos be sold in packages of no less than 20 and without the candy flavors clearly designed to appeal to teens.

Candy-flavored cigarillos come in peach, cherry, strawberry and vanilla and are packaged individually in a plastic tube resembling a felt marker or lip gloss. They may look harmless – there is no health warning on the package – but they are just as dangerous as cigarettes and represent the latest attempt by the tobacco industry to hook teenagers on smoking, say those seeking to ban their sale. For example Prime Time Little Cigars.


“This is the leading edge of a new generation of alternative tobacco products,” Michael Perley, director of the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, said at a news conference. The bill appears to be well on its way to a speedy passage into law. MPPs (members of provincial parliament) from all three political parties voted in support of the bill on Thursday. It passed second reading and has been referred to a government committee for debate.

Sale of the individual cigarillos could also be banned in other provinces. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said during the recent federal election campaign that the Conservatives will set a minimum package size and restrict the use of flavor in tobacco products. Quebec already bans the sale of single tobacco products.

Reference: Ontario poised to ban flavoured cigarillos by KAREN HOWLETT, Globe and Mail, 11/27/2008.

The Province of Ontario cares about their residents.

Related news briefs: Canada: a bill introduced to snuff out drive to recruit young smokers..; Still sucking our youngsters in.. and Quebec - Teens Switch from Cigarettes to Cigarillos...