Question Period Note: SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE IN CANADA

• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death, killing approximately 46,000 people in Canada each year. The Government has an ambitious target to reduce tobacco use to less than five percent by 2035.

KEY MESSAGES
• Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in Canada.
• Our government is committed to reducing tobacco use in Canada to less than five percent by 2035.
• Health Canada continues to strengthen regulations to prevent youth and people who do not smoke from smoking, and to provide people with information on the health hazards of tobacco use, and supports for quitting smoking.
• Canada recently became the first country to require written health warnings be displayed on individual cigarettes.
IF PRESSED ON HELP FOR PERSONS WHO SMOKE (85 words) …
• Quitting smoking can be difficult. Our Government is committed to providing resources to help.
• Our Government launched the “Tools for a Smoke-Free Life” campaign, which encourages adults aged 35+ who smoke to learn more about the array of tools and supports that can help them quit smoking.
• People in Canada can contact the pan-Canadian toll-free quitline where specialists can help develop a plan, answer questions, and provide referrals to programs and services. The number and web address for the helpline are displayed on cigarette packs.
IF PRESSED ON YOUTH VAPING (71 words) …
• Protecting the health and safety of youth is a top priority.
• We remain concerned about substance use, including youth vaping, and are taking action to address high rates of youth vaping.
• Regulations prohibit the promotion and advertising of vaping products anywhere they can be seen or heard by youth, set a maximum nicotine concentration for vaping products, and require manufacturers and importers to provide sales and ingredients information to Health Canada.
IF PRESSED ON REPORT REGARDING ILLICIT TOBACCO MARKET (91 words) …
· Our government takes the issue of contraband tobacco very seriously.
· We will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary, including product seizures and prosecutions.
· Health Canada regularly conducts unannounced inspections at retail locations where tobacco and vaping products are sold or promoted.
· Our government works closely with law enforcement, industry, and other partners to prevent the import and sale of illicit tobacco through policing and enforcement efforts.
· Thanks to Canada’s diligent tobacco control efforts, we have some of the lowest smoking rates in the world.
IF PRESSED ON VAPING COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT (87 words) ….
• Health Canada regularly conducts inspections of tobacco and vaping product retailers, manufacturers, online-based establishments and other location where tobacco and vaping products are sold or promoted to ensure compliance with the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) and the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
• Between April and September 2024, Health Canada inspected approximately 1330 retailers where vaping products were sold, including online retailers. Health Canada also inspected 57 vaping manufacturers during this time period. As a result of these inspections, Health Canada seized approximately 149,000 vaping products.

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