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Canadian Leader Promises Action Against Flavored Tobacco Products

September 18, 2008

 Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has vowed to stop tobacco companies from marketing flavored tobacco products to children, Reuters reported Sept. 17.

Critics say cigarillos, which come in flavors like peach, wild berry and chocolate, and are sold for less than C$2, have more appeal to teens than adults. Canadian regulations on package size and health warnings also are more relaxed for cigarillos than they are for cigarettes.

Harper promised to establish a minimum package size for cigarillos and other tobacco products in an effort to make them less attractive to young people. "Flavoring and packaging them like candy, gum or fruit rollups -- this just isn't right. This practice can't continue," Harper said. "We will not tolerate it."

The market for flavored tobacco products has increased to 81 million units in 2006 from 50,000 in 2001, according to "Flavour Gone," a youth antismoking campaign. 

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