A new poll suggests broad support across Canada for stronger rules to keep tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of the next generation. The Abacus Data poll, commissioned by the National Lung Alliance and conducted earlier this summer, shows 96 per cent of Canadians say it’s important to prevent today’s children from ever taking up tobacco or vaping products. Results from the survey were presented last week in Ottawa by the Alliance and its members, which includes NB Lung. “We all convened on Parliament Hill to speak with MPs about our ask for a bold public health policy move, that we call a smoke-free generation law ” says Melanie Langille, president and CEO of NB Lung. The proposed legislation would stop people born from 2009 onwards from ever being able to purchase tobacco or vaping products legally. The Abacus Data poll shows 76 per cent of Canadians support the proposed law. Similar legislation has already seen movement outside of Canada. Last year, the Maldives banned people born after 2007 from smoking tobacco. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom granted royal assent to a legislation banning tobacco sales to anyone born after 2009, with the law coming into effect next year. “So our thought is, why not Canada?” says Langille. “The idea behind a smoke-free generation is to gradually increase the legal age of purchasing commercial tobacco and vaping products to keep them out of the hands of youth and over time create a generation where this is not part of our social norm. What we’re not trying to do is force anybody to quit, or to make any changes to those who are legally purchasing and using these products today. “What we’re asking for is basically a line in the sand.” To date, the federal government has only said it’s looking into the idea. Langille says the poll numbers were important during last week’s lobbying efforts in the nation’s capital. “We are starting to see a little bit more openness and receptivity to the idea.” For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
