The move came in the form of a proposed regulation published in the Canada Gazette, only a day after Prince Edward Island confirmed that it would be the sixth province to ban menthol.
It is a 180 degree reversal from the position taken by the previous federal government. Barely 4 months have passed since a federal additive ban which expressly exempted menthol came into force last December.
Tobacco companies have resisted the ban by filing lawsuits, and are likely behind the objections being raised at the World Trade Organization in response to the bans introduced in Nova Scotia and elsewhere.
It was after the provinces moved forward with their measures that the companies defiantly launched newer styles of menthol cigarettes in Canada. (The click-menthol "Next" brand shown below was launched by Philip Morris last year. Imperial Tobacco has also launched click-menthol products)
This industry provocation is all the more reason for the federal government to step up its action. It is all the more reason for us to applaud their actions.
