Saskatchewan - Pharmacies banned from selling tobacco starting April 1, 2011..

March 31, 2011 - New regulations aimed at reducing tobacco use in the province come into effect April 1, 2011. Starting Thursday, the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products will no longer be allowed in pharmacies.

The ban also extends to retail stores that have a pharmacy located within the store or if customers can access the area where tobacco or tobacco-related products are sold.

“Pharmacists play an important role in promoting good health in the community, through education and encouraging healthy lifestyle practices,” said Health Minister Don McMorris, adding that the “focus on health conflicts with selling a product that is known to cause significant health problems.”

According to Dawn Martin, Executive Director of the Pharmacists’ Association of Canada, most pharmacists currently don’t sell tobacco and the legislation ensures pharmacies will “continue to be consistently recognized as trusted places to go for help and advice on medications and healthy lifestyle choices.”

The ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies is part of the Building a Healthier Saskatchewan strategy to reduce tobacco use and to help people quit smoking.

The fine for selling tobacco in prohibited places is $500.

Refereence: Pharmacies banned from selling tobacco starting April 1, 2011, David Giles, Global Saskatoon, 3/31/2011.

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