World Cancer Day: "Premier Marois, what are you waiting for to amend the Tobacco Act?"

MONTREAL, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)—Quebec Division is reminding Quebec Premier Pauline Marois that it is urgent to revise the Tobacco Act.

The Tobacco Act has not been amended for nearly nine years. Meanwhile, the industry has, with total impunity, developed a mass of new products to appeal to youths. Despite the money invested in prevention, the smoking rate remains stagnant. This is to say that for each smoker who quits or dies, a youth picks up the habit.

Elected leaders will be back at work at the National Assembly in a week. It is high time for the government to act. "Premier Marois, what are you waiting for? Tobacco kills 28 Quebecers each day. This hasn't been fixed. Amend the Tobacco Act," says Micheline Bélanger, a lung cancer survivor and anti-smoking activist.

More than 54,000 Quebecers have made themselves heard through a petition to protect youths against the tobacco industry and unreservedly back the CCS, which is asking for:

1. Ban of flavours for all tobacco products.
2. Moratorium on the tobacco products market
3. Plain and standardized packaging for all tobacco products.
4. Regulate electronic cigarettes.
   
   

"A third of cancer deaths are caused by tobacco. Unfortunately, every day, youths continue to be lured by the tobacco industry. It's high time for the Quebec premier to act in favour of the health of our youths by amending the law," says Sylvie Poissant, Acting Executive Director, CCS - Quebec Division.

Smoking by the numbers

• Quebec still has 1.6 million smokers.
  
• In Quebec, the average age of smoking initiation is 12.7 years.
  
• One in two regular smokers dies as a result of their tobacco use.
  
• Smoking costs taxpayers more than $4 billion per year, compared with a mere $900 million that it brings in taxes.
  
• A third of full days of hospital stay in Quebec's major hospitals are due to smoking.
  
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
  

Every day, the Canadian Cancer Society works to save more lives. We have been relentless in our commitment to prevent cancer, fund research, and support people touched by the disease. For 75 years, our goal has remained unchanged: do more so that fewer of us have to face cancer and more survive. Let's save more lives: visit cancer.ca or call our Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

* Ms Micheline Bélanger and a CCS representative will be available for interviews on February 4 from 10 a.m.

SOURCE: Canadian Cancer Society, Quebec Division

André Beaulieu
Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, Communications
Canadian Cancer Society - Quebec Division
[email protected]
Phone: [phone]