Will warnings on every cigarette be effective?
In an effort to prevent young people from starting to smoke and to motivate smokers to quit, individual cigarettes in Canada will soon feature warning messages printed directly on them, marking the first country to initiate such a measure. Let’s take a look at Canada’s new cigarette warnings.
Starting next year, Canadians will come across new warning labels in both English and French. They will contain phrases such as “Cigarettes cause cancer” and “Poison in every puff”.
By July 2024, manufacturers will have to ensure that the warnings appear on all king-size cigarettes sold. By April 2025, the warnings must be present on all regular-size cigarettes and little cigars with tipping paper and tubes. The warnings will be near the filter and will inform about the harmful effects of smoking on children, organs, and sexual health.
In May, Health Canada stated that the new regulations would make avoiding health warnings on tobacco products very difficult.
This move aims to reduce tobacco consumption in Canada to less than 5% by 2035. It follows a public consultation period that lasted 75 days. Since 1989, Canada has mandated the printing of warning labels on cigarette packages. In 2000, the country adopted pictorial warning requirements for tobacco product packages. Health Canada is also planning to include additional warning labels inside the packages themselves and introduce new external warning messages.
Will it work?
Tobacco companies rely on the design of their packaging to establish brand recognition and boost sales. However, the images and branding portrayed on tobacco packaging often contradict the harsh realities and risks of using tobacco products.
Having control over tobacco packaging is crucial for efforts to control tobacco use. Warning labels on tobacco packaging can effectively convey messages about the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Research indicates that informative warning labels can increase awareness of the risks associated with smoking and influence future decisions regarding tobacco use. Health warning labels that are large and feature pictures are particularly effective at motivating smokers to quit, discouraging non-smokers from starting and preventing ex-smokers from starting again.
Studies have also shown that warning labels are most effective when they feature both pictures and text, are in colour, and are rotated periodically to prevent overexposure.
However, research also suggests that it depends on the level of addiction. Heavy smokers are less likely to be concerned with health warnings.
Will Canada’s new cigarette warnings work? Maybe. For this to be more effective, it needs to be placed alongside a promotion of smoking alternatives such as vaping.
If you’re a smoker who wants to make a positive change, contact us. Our customer service team are smoking cessation trained and will happily aid in your quit attempt.
