Making the Case for Canada to Join the Tobacco Plain Packaging Revolution

This article makes the case for introducing plain packaging reforms in Canada. Australia successfully introduced these measure in 2012, and other nations have adopted similar laws, in light of compelling evidence that plain packaging lessens the appeal of tobacco products, increases the effectiveness of health warnings and curbs the use of packaging to mislead consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco use. Tobacco industry arguments that plain packaging does not work, increases illicit trade, presents a slippery slope to over regulating other products, and hurts small business are unfounded. The proposed Canadian reforms open the door to improving on plain packaging legislation by increasing the restrictions on: acceptable brand names, the internal pack design and the appearance of the cigarette itself.