‘It’s going to reduce cancer:’ Analyst praises warnings on cigarettes

Cigarettes are getting a new look that’s aimed at reducing smoking.

Health Canada is now requiring manufacturers to add warning labels to individual cigarettes in addition to existing warnings on packages. Canada is the first country to add this kind of messaging.

Rob Cunningham, a lawyer and senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, says the new label is a step in the right direction.

“(A warning label) is going to reduce smoking and consequently it’s going to reduce cancer,” he said.

According to Cunningham, numerous studies done in Canada and other countries found that having a warning directly on the cigarette will be an effective method to reduce smoking.

He says the change will have a great impact on preventing youth from trying cigarettes.

“Having the warning right on the cigarette is going to make the product less appealing to youth. Some youth are going to be less likely to want to be seen with it,” he said.

Cunningham thinks the label will open up conversations about the risks of smoking.

“When you’re there during a smoke break, it’s going to create discussion (like), ‘What warning have you got?’ ” he said.

He thinks there is still work to be done, saying “the province is behind on (smoking in) outdoor areas compared to other provinces,” he said.

Cunningham thinks Saskatchewan should raise the minimum smoking age to 21 like Prince Edward Island and 30 American states have done.

“It’s odd that in Saskatchewan the minimum age is 18 for (purchasing) tobacco and cigarettes, but it’s higher for alcohol and cannabis at 19,” said Cunningham.

He thinks a tobacco-free generation is possible in Canada.

Almost 20 billion cigarettes are sold each year in Canada. Thirty per cent of all cancer deaths in Canada are related to smoking.