In 2002, the Society released a study by Environics Research Group Limited – Evaluation of New Warnings on Cigarette Packages – about the effectiveness of precedent-setting picture warnings in Canada.
Cigarette package health warnings
Cigarette package health warnings in Canada have improved over time:
- In 1989, regulations required a series of 4 text warnings covering 20% of the package front and back.
- In 1994, regulations required text warnings in black and white to cover the top 35% of the package front and back.
- In 2001, Canada became the first country to require picture warnings and the first country to mandate 50% of the package front and back.
- In 2012, picture warnings were required to cover 75% of the package front and back. The Society strongly supports these warnings.
Read more about current tobacco package warnings in Canada.
Together we can reduce the burden of cancer

Last year, we only had the resources available to fund 40% of high-priority research projects. Imagine the impact we could have if we were able to fund 100%.