OTTAWA — Tobacco regulations that took effect Tuesday require companies to print the amounts of toxins in cigarette smoke on their packaging.
The amounts of benzene, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde must be listed on cigarette packs and other tobacco products. Manufacturers already were voluntarily listing the amounts of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide.
“This is yet another step in providing Canadians with comprehensive and up-to-date information about the health hazards associated with tobacco use,” Health Minister Allan Rock said.
The regulations were part of a law that also required tobacco companies to put pictures of diseased lungs and other graphic images on warning labels. The pictures were introduced last year.
Michel Descoteaux, spokesman for Imperial Tobacco Canada in Montreal, said the labeling changes so far were failing to reduce smoking.
“This is not the first time we’ve had to overhaul all of our packages,” he said. “It’s never had that much of an impact previously.”
