Statement made on 18 November 2010 by Senator Pana Merchant
Hon. Pana Merchant:
Honourable senators, last week the U. S. Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to use, within the next two years, graphic and strong label warnings to cover one-half of the cigarette package. At the same time, our Conservative government, at a closed-door meeting of territories and provinces, announced it has abandoned a six-year project to update with more graphic photos what has been effective scare tactic advertising on Canadian cigarette packages.
In a Globe and Mail article of November 9, entitled, "Did Ottawa bow to tobacco industry pressure on warning labels?" the Canadian Medical Association questions Health Canada's "senseless" reversal on warning labels. Another article on November 11 asks again, "Did Ottawa bow to industry pressure?"
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths. Canada was the first country in the world, in 2001, to adopt strong health warnings on cigarette packages and tobacco products designed to inform Canadians about preventable disease with the reported result of a 28 per cent reduction in cigarette smoking in Canada over this period.
Honourable senators, I have three questions for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. First, why was there a closed-door meeting between Conservative officials and territories and provinces? Second, are the Conservatives, by hiding their true intentions, bowing to tobacco industry pressure? Third, we know from within the department that the new warnings were ready to go and that they included links to 1-800 help lines.
Was it political will that stopped this updated advertising, and why is the political will in opposition to the interests and health of Canadians?
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