While some locals voice strong support of the new NDP government’s move to add menthol-flavoured tobacco to the list of banned tobacco products in Alberta, others feel the move may not have the result that is anticipated.
After Sept. 30, Albertans will no longer be able to purchase menthol-flavoured tobacco. The move was done as a way to help curb the number of young people using flavoured tobacco products.
The push to ban flavoured tobacco started under the previous PC government in late 2014. However, menthol was exempted from the flavoured tobacco ban.
“More than half of young tobacco users are using flavoured tobacco, whether it’s menthol or a fruit or candy flavour. By banning the sale of these products, we can reduce tobacco use among youth and help our children stay healthy. Removing the exemption of menthol also ensures a fair, consistent approach to flavoured tobacco,” said Alberta’s Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman, in a provincial media release.
As a long-time smoker who has tried to kick the habit numerous times, Linnette Newby says she thinks the province is taking the right steps in banning flavoured tobacco.
“(Smoking) is a horrible habit,” says Newby, adding, “It’s tough to get over it. It’s tough to get by it.” She says that after changes were made to prohibit smoking in public places, she personally noticed a change for the positive, and hopes the recent changes can do the same.
Taking out anything that glamourizes tobacco is something Newby supports.
“The nicotine and addiction is still there,” even with flavoured tobacco, she says.
But, in Shannon Quinney’s experience, the banning of menthol flavoured tobacco might be misdirected. When she worked at her grandparents’ store near Ashmont, it was more the older generation purchasing menthol-flavoured tobacco, rather than youth.
“Just because you ban things doesn't make them go away. For some, it makes it more appealing,” says Quinney, adding, “It's a slippery slope, banning things.”
Although she supports banning of tobacco products, local resident Janice Thompson is also unsure if there will be much of a change in habit.
“I don't think it will make a difference, a smoker will smoke anything. It's too bad they couldn't ban them all, then there would be one less addiction to have and maybe less cases of cancer,” she said.
Leah Breckenridge is also unsure if banning flavoured tobacco will truly make a difference, but, “I do think that it’s a step in the right direction.” She adds that she grew up in a house where both her parents smoked, but when she was old enough to smoke, it wasn’t her mom’s menthols she reached for.
“I’m now one of those ex-smokers that smokers hate,” says Breckenridge, adding, “They should all be banned.” She supports the government taking a stand against smoking.
A four-month grace period was put in place to allow retailers to deplete their existing stock of menthol cigarettes. As of last week, the sale of other kinds of flavoured tobacco has been officially banned in Alberta under the Tobacco Reduction Amendment Regulation. Exceptions to the ban are cigars that cost more than $4 each and weigh five grams or more, and pipe tobacco.
The legislation will also require certain products to be sold in minimum package sizes, eliminating some of the cheaper options that are often used by youth and young adults.
