Children, Seniors and Social Development
May 31, 2017

Minister Gambin-Walsh Acknowledges World No Tobacco Day

The Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, acknowledged today as World No Tobacco Day.

World No Tobacco Day, recognized every year on May 31 by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the health and additional risks associated with tobacco use and advocates for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption. The theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day is “Tobacco – a threat to development."

In June 2016, the Provincial Government made amendments to both the Smoke-Free Environment Act, 2005 and the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act. The amendments are aimed to further protect the public, in particular children and youth, from the harms of flavoured tobacco products (including menthol) and hookah smoking, and the potential harms of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

While some amendments are already in place, several others are effective July 1, 2017, including the following:

• Prohibition on the sale of flavoured tobacco, including menthol cigarettes;
• Prohibition on the sale of e-cigarettes and non-tobacco shisha in places currently prohibited from selling tobacco products;
• Restrictions on the display and promotion of e-cigarettes and non-tobacco shisha in retail stores in the same manner as tobacco products are currently regulated;
• Prohibition on hookah/water pipe smoking in indoor public places and workplaces including any existing hookah establishments.

Budget 2017 includes continued support of $320,000 to the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association for the Provincial Smoker’s Help Line. This investment demonstrates government’s commitment to achieve healthy living targets in The Way Forward.

Quotes
“Preventing and reducing tobacco use in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly among children and youth, is a priority for this government. These recent legislative changes, combined with our smoking cessation efforts and ongoing collaboration with our many community partners, will help us work toward achieving this goal. ”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“The theme of this year’s World No Tobacco Day – a threat to development – not only demonstrates the harmful effects of tobacco to one’s personal health, but also to the health of the community and the environment. World No Tobacco Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the harms of tobacco and ACT is working with our partners, including the provincial government, to further prevent and decrease smoking rates.”
Scott Antle
Board of Directors Chair, Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT)

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Learn More
Alliance for the Control of Tobacco - www.actnl.com/

Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association - nf.lung.ca/

Smokers’ Helpline - www.smokershelp.net/

Summary of Legislative Changes - www.cssd.gov.nl.ca/healthyliving/pdf/changes_smokefree_tobacco_acts.pdf

Follow on Twitter: @GovNL , @CSSD_GovNL , @SmokersHelpNL and @actnl

Media contacts
Krista Dalton
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Kevin Coady
Executive Director
Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT)
709-689-6005

2017 05 31                              11:10 a.m.