Canada, No Light Smokes
Canadian officials want to put the kibosh on the term “light” or “mild” cigarettes. Reuters reports:
Already last November, three of Canada's largest tobacco companies agreed to change their labeling in anticipation of the federal regulations, saying they would stop using such terms by the middle of this year.I like the idea. I think most people believe light cigarettes mean the same thing as diet soda. Time to kill that misconception—don’t you think?
Use of the terms has also been eliminated from marketing in the European Union and Australia, but not in the United States despite recommendations in May by an expert panel.
Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement announced the proposed regulations, which will carry a 75-day comment period.
"Research has shown that many smokers incorrectly believe that smoking 'light and mild' cigarettes is less harmful to their health," Clement said in a statement.
