Health Canada going after flavoured cigars
08.07.2008 14:02
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- Source: cbc.ca
Health Canada is looking at changing the regulations concerning the sale of flavoured cigars or cigarillos, which now do not require a health warning. 'They're cute, they're colourful, they're elegant.'— Kelsey Doucette, SWITCHThe Canadian Cancer Society has registered its concerns about the products. They come in a number of flavours — peach, wild berry, chocolate mint — which leads the society to believe they are being targeted at children. Sold individually, they are also affordable, at about $1.50 each. The youth group SWITCH, which operates out of the P.E.I. office of the cancer society, has been lobbying against them. "These things are small, they're cute, they're colourful, they're elegant," SWITCH member Kelsey Doucette told CBC News Friday. "It doesn't have any of warning signs or anything, so we think it's a really big issue." Most tobacco products carry graphic warnings about the numerous health concerns connected with smoking. The flavoured cigars, however, are exempt. They are classified as cigars, which mean they can be sold individually and therefore don't need a warning because there isn't space for one. Change comingThat could soon change, says Health Canada spokesman Mathew Cook. Cook said Health Canada is recognizing the problem of youth smoking the flavoured cigars, and looking at banning their individual sale. "We're recognizing this new type of class of products," said Cook. "We're recommending that they not be sold in packages of less than 20 units. In doing so, they will be forced to be put into larger packages and they will carry a health warning." Cook says larger packages will cost more and that will also discourage sales. Changing the regulations could take at least another year. RelatedInternal LinksRetailers caught selling flavoured cigars to kidsExternal LinksHealth Canada: A Proposal to Regulate Little Cigars(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Consumer Headlines4 Canadians with salmonella infections linked to U.S. outbreakHealth officials have confirmed that four Canadians have been infected with the same strain of salmonella identified in a U.S. outbreak that has sickened at least 943 people.WestJet occupancy slips as more planes addedDiscount airline WestJet said Tuesday it flew with a smaller percentage of its seats filled for June and its second quarter as the company added capacity.EA's Facebook Scrabble may spell trouble for ScrabulousElectronic Arts Inc. said Monday that this month it will release a Scrabble application, a web program that Facebook members can plug into their profile pages. Bell's internet throttling illegal, Google saysGoogle Inc. says Bell Canada Inc. is breaking Canadian telecommunications law by slowing certain internet traffic, and is urging the CRTC to take action against the company.Toyota plans solar AC for Prius: reportToyota's Prius gas-electric hybrid will become even greener next year with solar-powered air conditioning on some high-end models, The Nikkei reported Monday. Consumer Life FeaturesYOUR INTERVIEWUnwelcome visitorsWildlife expert Corey Lewis on dealing with pestsCONSUMER LIFESpy gadgetsHow to snoop with the best of themHUNGRY PLANETThe ethical eaterBLOGFood BytesDoes your 8-year-old need cholesterol drugs?BLOGComm-OdditiesUK court rules Pringles are potato-light, tax-freePeople who read this also read …
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