Final Phase of Canada’s Historic Plain Packaging Implementation In Effect
Lung Sask welcomes the implementation of the final stage of plain packaging for tobacco.
The final phase of Canada’s historic plain packaging implementation took place at retail on February 9th, 2022.
Starting February 9th, at retail, all cigarette packages have to be sold in the larger “slide and shell” format, as opposed to the smaller “flip-top” format. This larger package format makes the health warnings larger and thus more impactful, and also makes the packages less convenient to fit in a pocket. The final phase also includes changes to the appearance of tobacco packaging.
Tobacco products, typically cigarettes, will now be without any branding (colours, imagery, corporate logos, and trademarks). This includes only the brand name in a mandated size, font, and place on the pack. In addition, the health warnings and any other legally mandated information will remain on the package. The appearance of all tobacco packs is standardised, including the colour of the pack.
“Lung Sask supports Health Canada's regulations on Plain Packaging for cigarette products. The cigarette package acts as a form of promotion, advertising and branding so standardizing the colours, sizes, and font reduces the appeal and attractiveness of these deadly products. Tobacco use is still the number one cause of disability and premature death in Canada. We continue to fight to protect the lung health of Canadians,” says Jennifer May, Lung Sask’s Vice President of Health Promotion and Government Relations.
The removal of branding on cigarette packaging is a regulation of nicotine marketing and aims to deter smoking by removal of positive associations of brands (including design and symbol) with the consumption of tobacco. It also aims to remove an available avenue of brand advertising for cigarette companies.
