Cigarettes which have a squeezable menthol capsule can taste less harsh and should be banned, says the Canadian Cancer Society. The not-for-profit group is concerned that the cigarettes will make it easier for youth to start smoking and become addicted. It also says adults using them may be less inclined to quit smoking.
Some bans already exist
“The tobacco industry has a bottomless pit of creativity when it comes to new ways to market its deadly products,” says Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society in a news release.
ListenThe provinces of Alberta and Nova Scotia have taken steps to ban the menthol capsule cigarettes as have several countries in Europe. But Cunningham says the national government could act decisively to protect all Canadians.
Tobacco law could ban menthol
“The current National Tobacco Act is almost two decades old. It was adopted in 1997 and at that time, many of the flavoured tobacco products that we see now were not sold. We did not have hookah water pipe smoking in Canada. We did not have electronic cigarettes.
“So this act really needs to be modernized and as part of that we could have a national ban on menthol—something the government says they are able to consider.”
Canada used to be a leader in taking steps to curb tobacco use, says Cunningham, adding that it’s time for it to resume that role and change the law.
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