‘A positive sign’: UW prof reactions to new cigarette warning labels taking effect tomorrow
Posted Jul 31, 2023 04:35:44 PM.
Last Updated Jul 31, 2023 05:45:36 PM.
A local University of Waterloo professor said the changes to cigarette packaging are a “positive sign” to helping deter Canadians from smoking.
Geoffrey Fong, a professor of psychology and public health sciences at the University of Waterloo, said the effectiveness of the current labels have declined over time due to worn out messaging. The new labelling would appear on individual cigarettes on the paper surrounding the filter in both English and French. Canada will be the first country in the world to implement messaging onto individual cigarettes.
“These warnings on sticks themselves will be a constant reminder of the harms,” said Fong. “These warnings have the ability, once in a while, break through and remind people that this is a deadly product.”
The Tobacco Products Appearance, Packaging and Labelling Regulations (TPAPLR), which takes effect Aug 1 2023, will consolidate all previous legislation on labelling of tobacco products. In 2001, Canada became the first country in the world to have graphic images on cigarette packing. The last change to tobacco labelling legislation was in 2012.
Fong said along with the warnings on individual cigarettes, outside warnings are being revised. Other kinds of harms, like stomach cancer and impotence, will be appearing on packages as well. He said a decline of knowledge occurred when certain labels were taken off in 2012.
“We need to think of these warnings as a system, not an individual thing,” said Fong. “They all really operate together in different ways to increase knowledge and salience of these many harms of the world’s most deadly consumer product.”
Consumers can expect to see the new labels on cigarettes beginning next year. The new legislation will give manufacturers and retailers time to adjust to the new regulations.
