Prince Edward Island is proposing bold action regarding the future of tobacco products on the island.
As part of the island's new “Live Healthy” health plan, authorities are proposing that islanders born after a certain date will never be able to purchase cigarettes.
“The Tobacco Free Generation (TFG) proposal would no longer allow the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after a certain year,” the island's consultation document on PEI Wellness states. Purchase cigarettes legally. ”
In 2020 alone, tobacco use on the island led to 265 deaths, 1,036 emergency room visits and 885 hospitalizations, according to the island's chief public health officer.
TGF's proposal does not affect adult smokers and focuses on tobacco, not e-cigarettes.
“What we're actually talking about is a tobacco-free generation, which is pretty bold,” said Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer.
“Adults who already buy tobacco products are not affected, so that doesn't change. But if you're 10 years old now, you're of legal age and still can't buy cigarettes.” ”
While some island officials call the move bold, it's not entirely unheard of for the non-smoking generation.
“It's moving through parliament in the UK and is also being considered in some municipalities in the United States,” said Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society.
The island is also proposing changes to where cigarettes can be sold.
In 2021, the law was amended to allow the sale of e-smoking devices and e-liquid only in tobacco shops. A tobacconist is an age-restricted store whose primary business is the retail sale of cigarettes and electronic smoking devices.
Island officials are now proposing that the same could be done for tobacco products as a way to reduce access among young people.
“We have a long way to go, and I really think the government is doing a good job of just moving the needle a little bit further,” said Julia Hartley, director of PEI operations for the Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Lung Association. Ta. .
“And if the Non-Smoking Generation is approved, it will be one of the greatest interventions of our century from a public health perspective.”
This isn't the first time the island has taken major steps to reduce overall tobacco use.
In 2020, PEI became the first Canadian province or territory to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes and electronic smoking devices to 21. A year later, the island banned flavored electronic smoking devices, allowing them to be sold only in specialty tobacco shops. store.
Currently, the legal age in other Atlantic regions is 19 years.
Tracy French lives on the island and says the proposed changes would be a good start to encouraging more people to live a tobacco-free lifestyle.
“Personally, I think it's a good idea to remove them from most stores and serve them the same way they serve cannabis,” she said. “You have to go to specialty stores. It's less accessible and less visible to kids.”
The island is conducting an online survey of its residents until July 5th about their overall health plan, including tobacco recommendations.
For more Prince Edward Island news, visit our dedicated province page.
