Canada: MLAs Split on Tobacco Law

Source from:  Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader 11/20/2014

Alberta's recent tobacco ban has provoked a diverse response of opinions and reactions. Local MLAs are no exception, holding their own views on the ban's relevance and permanence.

The ban itself will come into effect as of June 2015, making the sale of flavoured tobacco illegal, along with enacting bans on smoking in vehicles with children present and banning any lending or sales of tobacco products to minors.

The notable exception to the flavoured tobacco ban comes in the case of menthol cigarettes, which continue to be legal for sale. It's an exclusion that has provoked strong criticism from the NDP and Canadian Cancer Society alike. They cite a Health Canada report that points to menthol as the most popular tobacco flavour amongst youth, putting into question the ban's effectiveness in reducing smoking in Alberta's young.

Cathy Olesen, MLA for Sherwood Park, acknowledges the problem of the less than total ban.

"It's concerning," Olesen said, explaining that she views the current law as a "for now" bill. For Olesen, the comparative widespread popularity of menthol cigarettes amongst older smokers requires time to consult with them on their perspectives in this matter, and balance them with the need to act against the impact of smoking on minors.

"We want to have them on board as we move forward,"  Olesen said.

She views the bill as an overdue measure to address the issue in the meantime, though she hopes that there will be further discussion and potential change in the future.

As a previous member of Strathcona County council, Olesen voted to toughen public smoking laws in the county. She pointed to the fact that Strathcona County was one of the first counties to enact public area smoking bans in Alberta.

"I do have strong feelings about tobacco and tobacco use, but you still have to pay attention to the public and work with them as you move forward and make changes, that's something I don't think we've done a good enough job of yet," Olesen said, adding that within that overall consideration, a menthol ban would still be in the best interests of young people.

Her hope is that the matter will be brought into needed discussion sooner rather than later. She looks to the current session of the legislative assembly as one where a motion could bring the discussion into the All Party Committee for Community and Families.

"Certainly, hopefully, before we end the session," Olesen said, on her hopes for a referral to that committee.

Other MLAs are taking a longer view by contrast.

"Let's get the ink dry on the first piece of legislation before we start talking about the second one," said Health Minister Stephen Mandel.

He similarly views the matter of menthol as one that requires more consultation.

"Menthol is something that crosses the boundaries of kids smoking as well as adults,"  Mandel said.

"In every group of people you have different opinions, but we're all working together to put forward the best solution that we can,"  Mandel said of those in his party who might be looking for a menthol ban.

"Smoking is a legal substance whether we like it or not, and that presents some issues of what we ban and what we don't ban,"  Mandel said, explaining his belief in needing to strike a balance in protecting youth while acknowledging the wants of older, legal smokers.

"I don't think older people are looking to buy chocolate flavoured cigarettes," Mandel said, arguing that the ban works to eliminate tobacco products are specifically targeted at youth.

For his part, Mandel is not looking to the coming session of the legislature as a place for furthering discussion on the matter.

"I'm sure I'll be asked questions in the house about it about it, but it's not going to come up on our agenda right now," he said.

Mandel's views are shared by Dave Quest, MLA for Sherwood Park-Strathcona County.

"This reg is more aimed at the younger people, and menthol has been around for 60 to 70 years," Quest said, comparing it to newer flavours he feels are more specifically targeted at youth. For him the ban's purpose was to eliminate them by contrast.

Quest agrees with Mandel's view that bill should have its own time to be established.

He himself finds it somewhat unlikely for the bill to come up again in the current session.

"There's a fairly lengthy agenda for this fall session,"  Quest said, though he believes the bill warrants further discussion at some point.

As to whether menthol should be banned, his own opinion is more reserved.

"I'd like to see what impact the newly announced regulations have on the reduction of the number of young people smoking, (though) that information may be too long coming, and we may have to have the discussion on menthol sooner than that," Quest said. Enditem