- Ban on flavours (including menthol) for all tobacco products
The CCS is pressuring the government to ban flavoured tobacco products. Extravagant flavours such as mango, cookies, Pina Colada, and chocolate mint have thwarted the progressive decline of cigarette consumption among youths. Tobacco smoke has repulsive properties that need to be masked.
- Moratorium on the marketing of tobacco products (freeze)
The CCS wants a moratorium on new tobacco products, which would help limit the existing market. The tobacco industry attracts fresh clients by changing and inventing new products. For instance, if a moratorium had been imposed ten years ago, thousands of youths would not have become addicted to tobacco today!
- Plain and standardized packaging for all tobacco products (including a ban on super-slim cigarettes)
The CCS is fighting for plain packaging which will help counter the sale of tobacco products in attractive packaging. Plain packaging will make all packs look identical where size, shape, colour, model, and text size are concerned. Brands can only be distinguished by the name appearing on the pack.
- Regulation of electronic cigarettes
The CCS wants the same regulations governing tobacco products to be applied to electronic cigarettes (for example, sale to minors). The harmlessness, quality, and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes have yet to be fully tested. The Directeur national de santé publique du Québec (National Public Health Director of Quebec) and Health Canada advise against the use of this product.
- Raising taxes to at least Ontario’s current levels (2nd province with the lowest tax rate after Quebec) while maintaining efforts to fight cigarette smuggling
Quebec is the province with the lowest tobacco taxes. The CCS is urging the government to raise the tax rates to Ontario’s current level. Higher prices discourage non-smokers from starting and former smokers from taking it up again. The CCS is convinced that in parallel to higher taxes, it is essential to continue the fight against smuggled cigarettes to hold on to valuable gains made in the province.