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May 25 2009 - Flavour Additives in Tobacco Products: A Gateway to Tobacco Addiction. Read more.
April 7, 2009 - Alberta raises tobacco taxes. The Alberta government raised tobacco taxes by $3.00 per carton of 200 cigarettes in today's provincial budget.
Effective January 1, 2009, there are new restrictions on where tobacco products can be sold. Read sales restrictions.
Budget calls for increases in tobacco and liquor taxes
Jason Markusoff, Calgary Herald April 7, 2009 - The head of the largest liquor-store chain in Alberta has advice for consumers: buy now, or get ready to pay $2.85 more for a vodka bottle, 75 cents more for your favourite cheap merlot or $1.30 more for a 12-pack of beer.
Alberta's budget today hiked sin taxes instead of making deeper program cuts or raising taxes elsewhere. Cigarette taxes are going up by $3 a carton, while steep increases to the hidden taxes on liquor are the first increase since 2002. read more.
Alberta's Tobacco Reduction Act - Press Release
Alberta Government - Monday, December 08, 2008- Beginning January 1, 2009, the sale of tobacco products is prohibited in: pharmacies, stores containing a pharmacy, public post-secondary campuses and health-care facilities.
Flavored Tobacco Marketed to Teens
Kate Wheeler - CTV Newsnet Afternoon 3 (ctv-n1) Scarborough, 2:34 PM - Thursday, December 11, 2008Health critics say teens are getting hooked on tobacco products because it is being marketed like cheap candy. They have an inviting colorful and fresh appearance and couldn't possibly be unhealthy, not with flavors like raspberry, vanilla, strawberry, tangerine, peach, and chocolate. The candy coating is a ploy. Cigarillos are just as bad as everyday smokes but some say they are even worse because teenagers like them.
Okotoks Closer To Banning Smoking In Vehicles With Kids Inside
June 24, 2008 - CHQR Newsroom - The town of Okotoks is one step closer to becoming the first community in Alberta to ban smoking in vehicles with children inside. Councillor Stephen Clark tells QR77 news that a public meeting was held Monday night advising residents of the bylaw, and he says many supported it.
Clark says the bylaw still has to go through second and third reading before it can be enacted, but he says that could happen as early as July 14th.
Okotoks Holding Forum on Smoking in Cars
June 22, 2008 - 660 News Erin Slobodian - Okotoks town council is looking to ban smoking in cars when children are present and it is holding a public forum to find out how people feel about the issue.
One town councillor told CTV on Sunday, he wants a bylaw passed because it's the way of the future and they're certainly going to lobby the province to create this as a provinicial law.
If the law passes, Okotoks would be the first place in Alberta to ban smoking in cars with children.
Half the people living in Okotoks are under the age of 16.
The public forum is taking place Monday night at 7pm at the Okotoks municipal building.
Smoking Prohibited in Vehicles with Passengers Younger Than 19
March 20, 2008 - Smoking Prohibited in Vehicles with Passengers Younger Than 19 Health Promotion and Protection
Nova Scotia youth should no longer be exposed to second-hand smoke in motor vehicles when an amendment to the Smoke-free Places Act comes into effect April 1.
The amendment, which prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when a person younger than 19 is present, was proclaimed today, March 20.
"This legislation is another important step in protecting the health of all Nova Scotians," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "Children and young people are susceptible to the effects of second-hand smoke, especiallyin an enclosed space such as a car."
Nova Scotia is the first province in Canada to prohibit smoking in vehicles when minors are present. Several other provinces are considering similar legislation.
"This amendment only re-enforces what the majority of Nova Scotians are already doing to protect the health of their children," said Mr. Barnet. "For others, we hope it will serve as an opportunity to learn about the health risks associated with second-hand smoke."
More than 4,000 chemicals can be found in second-hand smoke, including carbon monoxide, nickle, formaldehyde and arsenic. These chemicals can contribute to many illnesses including asthma, heart disease and sudden infant-death syndrome.
Since the province's Tobacco Control Strategy began in 2001, overall smoking rates have decreased to 20 per cent of the population from 30 per cent.
The fine for smoking in a car with young passengers is $394.50.
Information on the Smoke-free Places Act can be found on Health Promotion and Protection's website at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp.
California Anti-Smoking Laws Save Thousands of Lives, new study finds
California anti-smoking laws save thousands of lives, new study finds Cigarette tax increases, media campaigns reduce rate of smokers
News Release, March 1, 2007
More than 50,000 lives will have been saved by the year 2010 in California because of statewide tobacco control policies. Thats according to a new study that also estimates smoking rates among Californians dropped by 25 percent due to higher cigarette prices, ramped up... more
