Canada is poised to become the first country in the world to require a warning to be printed on every cigarette.
Mental Health and Addiction Minister Caroline Bennett said the measure aims to reach more people – including young people who often share cigarettes and do not come across the packaging.
A 75-day consultation period begins on Saturday.
The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation welcomed the new requirements and said there was strong evidence to suggest that reports of tobacco products have had an impact on limiting consumption.
WATCH Liberals are proposing stricter regulations on tobacco products:
Liberals are proposing stricter regulations on tobacco products
Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Carolyn Bennett announces proposed measures to strengthen regulations on tobacco products.
“Canada will now have the strictest health warning regime for cigarettes in the world,” Doug Roth, the foundation’s chief executive, said in a statement.
“These are deadly products and these measures will help to further reduce their attractiveness to young people and non-smokers, as well as to support current smokers in their efforts to quit.
Bennett also unveiled extended warnings about cigarette packaging, which include a longer list of health effects of smoking.
Canada has required warnings for photos since the beginning of the millennium, but the images have not been updated in a decade.
Rob Cunningham, a senior political analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, noted that Canada has also set a precedent by requiring photo warnings, with other countries following suit.
He said he hoped the warnings printed on the cigarettes themselves would be developed internationally.
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