Canadian Cancer Society Wants Flavoured Cigarillo Ban

The Canadian Cancer Society is seeking a ban on flavored cigarillos after study shows high proportion of teens purchase them.

A recent national survey reported that flavoured cigarillos are used by a high proportion of teenagers. The cigarillos come in flavours such as fruit, candy and ice cream. The survey's results have prompted the Canadian Cancer Society to call for a ban on the product. The Society is concerned that teenagers could be using the cigarillos as a starter product and that teenagers who would otherwise never begin smoking could become addicted. The fact that cigarillos can even be cheaper than cigarettes because they come in smaller quantities is a concern as is the possibility that they are easier to obtain. The health warnings on packs of cigarillos are not as evident as those on cigarette packages and there are no health warnings at all on individually packaged cigarillos. The 2006-2007 Youth Smoking Survey was released by the University of Waterloo on Monday and reported that 35 per cent of Grade 10 to 12 students reported trying cigars, cigarillos and little cigars. The survey of 71,000 students in Grades 5 to 12 from across Canada also found that 48 per cent of participants had tried cigarettes. If this ban comes into effect a new illegal market for flavoured cigarillos may open up.