Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Wildrose MLA Bruce Rowe says the province's decision not to include menthol as part of its new youth smoking prohibition laws makes no sense.
“I have a hard time understanding what their thinking is on that,” Rowe told the Gazette. “If they are going to ban some and not others, what's the point? It's kind of like a distracted driving law that says you can use an iPhone but you can't use a Blackberry. If you are going to ban it, ban it. Ban it all. And menthol is the one (flavour) of choice for the kids.”
Bills 206 was proclaimed last week after being passed earlier by the legislature. The bill prohibits the “selling, giving lending or supplying” of some flavoured tobacco products, but not menthol tobacco, to minors.
Bill 33, which was also proclaimed last week, bans smoking in vehicles with minors present.
Regarding the vehicle ban, Rowe said, “I think that is sensible.”
Minister of Health Stephen Mandel calls the new rules good for youth.
“By restricting access to these products, we can reduce use among youth and help our children stay healthy,” Mandel said. “Reducing the exposure of children to tobacco and reducing the overall use of tobacco products will have positive outcomes across all areas of health care.”
NDP MLA David Eggen disagrees with Mandel, saying not including menthol flavoured tobacco is a big mistake.
“This government caved to big tobacco and it put the profit-making strategies of tobacco companies ahead of the health and safety of Alberta's youth,” said Eggen.
“This legislation is meant to protect our children, and yet the most dangerous of the flavoured tobaccos will now be allowed to remain accessible to kids. We know that flavoured tobacco products are the hook to get young Albertans addicted to cigarettes when they're vulnerable, and that menthol products are especially dangerous for youth.”
Alberta Liberal Leader, Raj Sherman echoed Eggen's comments.
“The Prentice government's refusal to ban menthols is reckless, irresponsible and unsafe for Alberta children,” said Sherman. “This isn't about older people being happy, it's about protecting our children.
“It's clear that the tobacco lobby has done a very good job on Minister Mandel and the Prentice government -- why else would they not ban menthol?”
The Canadian Cancer Society has called for the banning of all flavoured tobacco in Canada.
For his part, MLA Rowe says he believes tougher penalties, not product prohibition, may be the best way to reduce youth tobacco use.
“I think banning legal products is the wrong way to go,” said Rowe. “I think we need much, much stiffer fines for selling to kids and they haven't even addressed that. I think that would be bigger deterrent than anything.
“If you are a retailer and you get shut down for a week as a penalty for selling to children, with a $5,000 fine, that makes more sense to me than trying to ban a legal product. We know that kids are going to get it somehow. If they want it bad enough they are going to get it.”
"If you are going to ban it, ban it. Ban it all."Bruce Rowe, MLA
