Every year, on May 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners mark World No Tobacco Day, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
This year, the WHO is calling on countries to work together to end the illegal trade of tobacco products. Contraband tobacco products pose the same health risks as those legally sold in Canada but are of an even greater public health concern because they can be more easily accessed by youth, are more attractive to smokers due to their lower price, and generally lack important health warning labels.
Contraband tobacco also fuels the growth of organized crime, contributing to the increased availability of illegal drugs and guns in our communities and putting Canadians’ safety at risk. In addition, it undermines many important public health measures that have been put in place to reduce tobacco consumption in Canada, which is at a record low. To help stop illegal tobacco smuggling, the Government of Canada has recently brought into force legislation that makes trafficking in contraband tobacco an offence under the Criminal Code and includes new mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders.
Through the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, Health Canada invests in smoking cessation initiatives nationwide to help reduce the demand for tobacco products in Canada – both legal and contraband. The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians quit smoking and preventing them from starting to smoke in the first place.
Over the past five years our Government has implemented several measures aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use. Last January, in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, we launched Break It Off, a multi-year; $4.8-million tobacco cessation marketing campaign aimed at helping young adult smokers quit smoking. This campaign, which encourages Canadians to end their bad relationship with smoking, has attracted almost 148,000 participants at 112 events at university and college campuses and other venues across Canada.
Our Government also introduced new warning labels and the inclusion of a pan-Canadian quit line number and web address for those who want to quit, restricted access to little cigars and blunt wraps for youth through minimum packaging provisions, and banned most flavours and additives in cigarettes and little cigars.
World No Tobacco Day inspires organizations and governments all over the world to take a stand against tobacco. It also inspires individuals to stand up for their own health and the health of those around them. If you or someone you know is thinking about quitting, please remember that the Government of Canada and its partners can help:
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
