Canadian Ministry of Health Opens Public Comment on Plain Packaging

Last month, the Canadian government approved sweeping changes to its laws on tobacco products and tobacco alternatives, part of which will be the implementation of plain packaging. Now, the Canadian Ministry of Health is asking for public comment on the matter.

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of health, has opened a public comment period that runs through Sept. 6, and is inviting Canadians to submit their thoughts on the plain packaging guidelines via an online form. Specifically, the minister is seeking comments from the general public, health professionals and associations, provinces and territories, industry, academics and experts, as well as other interested parties.

For reference, plain packaging means that tobacco products must be offered without any distinctive or attractive features, that are similar in appearance and packaged in the same ordinary—and unappealing—color.

Plain packaging is expected to go into effect in 2019; after the comment period closes, the government will finalize regulations and then advise manufacturers of the specific details, with a period given for them to exhaust existing packaging.

Image courtesy of Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.