Health and Community Services
November 3, 2008

Province Seeks Input on Banning Tobacco Powerwalls

Input is being sought by the Provincial Government from tobacco retailers and interested individuals and organizations on the banning of powerwalls, which are large retail displays of tobacco products.

"Our government has been very proactive in encouraging a smoke-free Newfoundland and Labrador, especially among youth," said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services. "Tobacco displays send the message that tobacco is a normal, everyday product. This is clearly not the message we want to send to anyone, especially youth. Today we are starting consultations to gather input on the potential of banning such displays and how that might be accomplished."

The Provincial Government is proposing amendments to the Tobacco Control Act, which could see the banning of all retail signs, displays and promotional materials related to tobacco products; the regulation of the storage of tobacco products so they are not visible to the public; the use of only government-authorized signs in retail outlets which include a health warning; and the reduction of the type of locations where tobacco products can be sold. The province is also seeking input on how the powerwall ban could be implemented.

A questionnaire will be mailed to all tobacco retailers and wholesalers in the province this week. Retailers will be given three weeks to complete the questionnaire and return it to the Department of Health and Community Services. An on-line questionnaire, posted on the department�s website (www.gov.nl.ca/health), will provide the general public, health organizations and industry groups with an opportunity to provide its views on banning powerwalls.

"Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death across Canada and is a major contributor of serious chronic diseases including cancer, emphysema and lung disease," said Minister Wiseman. "Our government is committed to reducing smoking in Newfoundland and Labrador to keep our people healthy."

Studies show that the more children and youth are exposed to tobacco advertising and promotions, the more likely they are to smoke. In-store advertising materials can also impact how much a person smokes, reduce the resolve of smokers to quit, and encourage former smokers to start smoking again.

Consultations on the elimination of powerwalls are a further step by the Provincial Government to advance the health and well-being of residents of the province. This measure also complements the goals of the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco�s Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy 2009-2011, which aims to prevent people from starting to smoke and to encourage and support smokers to quit.

Since 2003, the Provincial Government has amended the Smoke Free Environment Act 2005, to expand the ban on smoking in enclosed public places; introduced the Born a Non-Smoker program to reduce smoking in homes with new babies; and, introduced a Provincial Wellness Plan to encourage healthy living and staying smoke free.

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Media contact:

Glenda Power
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-1741

glendapower@gov.nl.ca

2008 11 03                                                     2:25 p.m.
 


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