Hastings Prince Edward Medical Officer of Health Dr. Richard Schabas at Board of Health meeting, June 1, 2016. ( Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The Quinte area Medical Officer of Health has thrown his support behind the proposal to require plain, standardized packing of cigarettes.
Dr Richard Schabas told the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health that he has signed a Canadian Cancer Society letter of support for the proposed federal legislation that would ban all promotional features on tobacco packing, including use of colours, images, logos and distinctive fonts.
Schabas says it may not stop “hardcore smokers” but he hopes it will deter young people from smoking.
The board is expected to be asked to support the ban this fall.
Under the proposed federal legislation the size and shape of the package would be standardized, preventing specialized package formats such as slim and superslim packages. The appearance of the cigarettes would also be standardized, prohibiting the use of colours and special finishes, and establishing standards for cigarette length and diameter.
