Netherlands seeks public opinion on possible tobacco ban for the next generation

Newfoundland and Labrador will soon release a questionnaire asking residents for their views on possible changes to tobacco purchasing legislation, including increasing the legal purchase price and making it impossible for people born after a certain date to legally purchase. (CBC)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Health wants the public's opinion on possible changes that could result in an increase in the legal age for purchasing tobacco products and a ban on purchasing them for young people, even at an advanced age.

A press release on Thursday said that an “EngageNL” questionnaire will be published in June, asking participants about several possible changes. Examples of the topics listed include banning tobacco sales in vending machines, raising the legal purchasing age from 19 to 21 and banning tobacco sales to people born after a certain date.

Health officials on Prince Edward Island earlier this month proposed banning tobacco sales to anyone born after a certain date — such as Jan. 1, 2009 — in the hope of creating a smoke-free generation.

“We are looking at what other jurisdictions have done,” Health Minister Tom Osborne said on Thursday.

“Over time, for example, there will be a phasing out of the legal purchase of cigarettes. So that's something we're aiming for and wanting to discuss with consumers, retailers, health experts and other stakeholders to determine the future of retail sales and legalized sales of cigarettes.”

Kevin Coady, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco, said he looks forward to talking to the government about the changes.

He believes something like PEI's proposal has potential, but said it needs to be looked at more closely.

“There is a lot of room for discussion here and hopefully we will get it right as we move forward,” Coady said.

Kevin Coady, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for Control of Tobacco, said he would welcome changes to purchasing laws but also wants to see changes to vaping products. (Cal Tobin/CBC)

“We have introduced an age limit. And yet 12, 13 and 14 year olds are picking up cigarettes, becoming addicted and developing smoking habits that they are likely to continue for life. The bigger question, in my opinion, is how do we find a way to stop young people from using tobacco.”

Coady said this would be achieved through better education and awareness of the dangers of smoking and by pushing for changes in legislation on e-cigarettes. The Department of Health's press release said feedback on e-cigarettes was also being received.

Coady said statistics released by the alliance show that 27 percent of youth in Newfoundland and Labrador use or have tried vaping products, including 58 percent of youth in high school.

“While traditional tobacco is one way to deliver nicotine to people, we now have the problem of vaping, which is something of a crisis in our province and across the country,” he said.

“We want to broaden the discussion and include all of these things.”

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push notifications from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.