Archive – Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada

Analysis, submissions, commentary

2012

Analysis

Supply-side options for an endgame for the tobacco industry
Reports on tobacco trials

Commentary

August 16, 2012 Australia court ruling on plain packaging shows the benefit of standing up to tobacco industry bullying
February 22, 2012 PSC congratulates the City of Ottawa for making patios, parks, beaches an municipal grounds smoke-free.
February 1, 2012. PSC congratulates Health Canada’s seizure of illegal flavoured tobacco products.
January 17, 2012. On National Non Smoking Week, PSC joins a cross Canada call for federal action against the sale of tobacco products that are sold in youth-friendly candy flavours and without warnings.

Newsletter

December 2012

2011

Analysis

Exploring vector space: overcoming resistance to direct control of the tobacco industry

Regulatory Submission

Response to consultation on renewal of federal tobacco control strategy.
Commentary on Product Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars).
Commentary on Promotion of Tobacco Products and Accessories Regulations (prohibited terms)

Commentary

October 20, 2011 PSC calls to protect pension funds from being invested in tobacco stocks.
September 6, 2011 PSC calls for greater control on cigarette additives.
April 7, 2011 Canadian health groups today praised Australia for plain packaging legislation.
March 8, 2011 PSC welcomes private member’s bill.
February 18, 2011 PSC welcomes Ottawa’s move to enlarge tobacco warnings and curb tobacco package marketing
January 19, 2011 Survey results show that school-aged Canadians are more likely to smoke brand-name cigarettes than contraband.
January 17, 2011 PSC recommends a review of public and private investment policies that permit these investments.

Newsletter

December 2011

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Short Description

2010

Analysis

Tobacco Vector: How American movies, Canadian film subsidies and provincial rating practices will kill 43,000 Canadian teens alive today — and what Canadian governments can do about it.
Tobacco Free Pharmacies Reasons why all provinces should ban pharmacy sales in provinces, and information on the majority that do.
Legal analysis of Philip Morris’ claim against Uruguay’s tobacco packaging laws.
Follow the money: How the billions of dollars that flow from smokers in poor nations to companies in rich nations greatly exceed funding for global tobacco control and what might be done about it
Estimating the volume of contraband sales of tobacco in Canada
FCTC Monitoring Report – 2010 November 2010. Canada’s Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Shadow Report.

Commentary

December 30, 2010 PSC welcomes announcement of forthcoming new regulations on cigarette labelling.
November 10, 2010 The Global Tobacco Control Forum releases its ‘shadow report’ on Canada’s implementation of the FCTC.
August 19, 2010 PSC releases a report on smoking in movies.
August 12, 2010 PSC and Centro de Investigacion para la epidemia de tabaquismo release a legal analysis of Uruguay’s new tobacco packaging law.
May 31, 2010 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada calls for strengthened tobacco reduction campaigns.
May 28, 2010 PSC calls for mandatory public pension plans to stop funding multinational tobacco companies.
May 26, 2010 PSC calls on British Columbia and Manitoba to ban the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies.
May 25, 2010 PSC calls for for Canada-wide ban on smoking on restaurant patios and other hospitality venues.
April 29, 2010 PSC and the Non-Smokers’ Rights Association call for Canada to follow Australia and plan for plain packaging.
April 12, 2010 Gates Foundation pulls funding from Canadian government development agency over concerns about conflict of interest.
February 16, 2010 Federal government continues to subsidize tobacco farming after spending $300 million to phase it out. Physicians group is looking for answers from Minister Gerry Ritz.

Newsletter

December 2010

2009

Analysis

A Moratorium on new tobacco products. How public health can benefit from a change in the style of regulations.
Performance based regulations. Tobacco companies use new products as a way to overcome public health laws. A moratorium on new tobacco products can better protect health.
The Global Tobacco Economy: A snapshot of the economies of multinational tobacco companies and of international tobacco control efforts in 2008 (2009).
History of tobacco control in Canada
Tobacco is still being grown in Ontario. How the $300 million federal buyout failed to curb tobacco growing.

Commentary

September 29, 2009 PSC calls for clear health goals to be included in litigation strategies.
September 17,2009 Canada’s major health organizations are calling on the Senate of Canada to give priority to the passage of Bill C-32.
June 17, 2009 The Canadian Senate should speed up its passage of bill C-32.
May 26, 2009 PSC applauds legislation to end the sale of candy-flavoured cigarillos.
April 24, 2009. Women deserve to be warned! PSC urges Health Canada to move quickly to put breast cancer warning on cigarette packages.
April 3, 2009. Canada urged to follow Norway’s lead and stop investing pension funds in tobacco.
January 15, 2009. A call on 3 provincial governments in western Canada to ban tobacco sales in pharmacies.
January 14, 2009 The Canadian Medical Association and Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada reminded Prime Minister Harper of promise to crack down on the marketing of flavoured tobacco products

Newsletter

November 2009

2008

Analysis

A Menu of Supply Side Approaches to Reduce Tobacco use.
The plot against plain packing.
The Snus Experience. Lessons from Norway, Sweden and Canada on the public health consequences of widespread oral tobacco use.
Recent trends in tobacco agriculture in Canada.

Regulatory submission

Response to proposals to address flavoured little cigars.

Commentary

December 15, 2008 A Health Groups Call on Prime Minister to Curb Tobacco Marketing
December 10, 2008 PSC welcomed the announcement by B.C. MLA, Adrian Dix of private member’s bill to end marketing of kid-friendly tobacco products.
December 5, 2008 Ontario Bans Flavoured Cigarillos
November 7, 2008 Canada falls short of its tobacco treaty commitments, reports the Global Tobacco Control Forum.
November 3, 2008 Nunavut-style leadership needed on First Nations tobacco issues.
September 17, 2008 Health Groups Welcome Measures to Protect Children from Tobacco Marketing.
September 10, 2008. PSC calls on Auditor General to investigate bad deal with big tobacco.
August 30, 2008. Many brands of cigarettes have failed ‘fire-safe’ tests.
July 31, 2008. Physicians plea for better approach than corporate plea bargain.
July 29, 2008 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada responds to government proposals to end the single sale of cigarillos.
July 24, 2008 Flavour…Gone! a youth-led campaign for changes to the federal Tobacco Act.
June 16, 2008 Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco welcomes proposed legislation to curb the marketing of novelty tobacco products.
April 9, 2008 PSC points to new consumer protection legislation as an example of stronger measures that are needed for tobacco.
March 5, 2008 PSC applauds Quebec government proposed regulation on tobacco advertising — and wonders why more isn’t being done by other levels of government.

Newsletter

November 2008

2007

Analysis

Towards effective tobacco control in First Nations and Inuit communities.
Trolling for Big Fish: 10 Lessons from Canada on tobacco product regulation.
Cigarillo use in Canada 2007.
Lessons for Canada from the U.S. Master Settlement Agreement
FCTC Shadow Report (Report on Canada’s Progress towards Implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control)

Commentary

February 19, 2007 Canadian kids are as likely to be trying cigarillos as cigarettes.
December 03, 2007 Japan Tobacco promotes a cigarette with ‘less smell’.
November 22, 2007 Doctors group says its time to close cigarillo-friendly loopholes in tobacco laws.
October 29, 2007 PSC outlines the benefits of including first nations in the global treaty process.
August 21, 2007 PSC welcomes the announcement of a new goal for reducing smoking: 12% prevalence by 2011.
August 2, 2007 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada renews call for government action against the growing problem of contraband tobacco sales.
July 31, 2007 PSC calls for tougher measures to end sale of light and mild cigarettes
June 28, 2007 PSC welcomes Minister Clement’s commitment to monitor and respond to tobacco industry marketing.
June 27, 2007 Smoking Ban in Federal Prisons a healthy step forward.
June 25, 2007 PSC calls for new legislation on tobacco advertising .
April 11, 2007 Tobacco industry sponsorship mars Quebec business award.
March 6, 2007 Physician group welcomes British Columbia legislation.
February 19, 2007 PSC praises British Columbia for its continued legal leadership against tobacco companies.
February 16, 2007 PSC makes available tobacco industry, government and intervenor arguments for Supreme Court hearing.
February 2, 2007 PSC calls on big banks to stop helping criminals sell contraband cigarettes
January 24, 2007 PSC releases of a film about the life and campaign of Heather Crowe.

Newsletter

November 2007

2006

Commentary

December 18, 2006 PSC proposes methods to reduce tobacco smuggling.
November 09, 2006 PSC sees Competition Bureau deal on light cigarettes as a public health loss masquerading as a victory.
October 18, 2006 Physicians call for urgent action against cigarette smuggling.
June 27, 2006 Minister of Labour urged to provide legislated protection from second-hand smoke –
May 18, 2006 Motion for a Smoke-Free Canada. PSC’s President calls on lawmakers to support Senators’ motion by passing laws to provide 100% legal protection from second-hand smoke in workplaces and public places.
March 10, 2006 What Wendy Mesley Didn’t Tell Canadians.
May 3, 2006 PSC’s Alberta director calls for Alberta’s drug strategy to address tobacco use as a gateway drug for illicit drugs like methamphetamine (“crystal meth”).
Ottawa, February 21, 2006 Heather Crowe’s condition worsens.

Newsletter

November 2006

2005

Analysis

Transforming the tobacco market: why the supply of cigarettes should be transferred from for-profit corporations to non-profit enterprises with a public health mandate (2005)
Curing the Addiction to Profits: A Supply-Side Approach to Phasing Out Tobacco

Commentary

December 12, 2005 On the tenth anniversary of the federal recommendation to completely ban tobacco advertising, health agencies are calling on the government to finally implement this measure.
November 2, 2005 Physicians file complaint with Alberta College of Pharmacists over tobacco sales in pharmacies.
October 21, 2005 Imperial Tobacco’s closure of tobacco plants is an opportunity to say “good buy” . Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSC) today called on the government to stop the “rape and run” tactics of tobacco business corporations by buying tobacco companies outright and seeing that they are run in the public interest to phase out tobacco completely by 2030.
October 20, 2005 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSC) today called on the federal government to refer the question of a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising to the Supreme Court of Canada.
August 16, 2005 Heather Crowe readmitted to hospital.
July 26, 2005 The magic formula for selling cigarettes—make it easier to control the nicotine dose.
June 20, 2005 Take the business of supplying cigarettes out of their hands and put it into the hands of public organizations with a clear public health mandate. This is the main recommendation of a new study published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and prepared by Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada.
June 20, 2005 In the 1990’s two Toronto television stations sold parts of their news broadcasts as thinly disguised tobacco promotions to a tobacco company. If a tobacco company can buy the news, who else can buy the news? PSC makes public previously secret contracts between Rothman’s, Benson and Hedges and its media partners, City-TV and CFTO-TV.
June 16, 2005 PSC makes public its letter to Health Minister urging that medical marijuana is “smokeless”.
June 15, 2005 Cigarettes sold in Canada as of October 1st will be less likely to cause fires. The Non-Smoker’s Rights Association and Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada congratulate Canada’s Minister of Health, Ujjal Dosanjh, for ensuring that all cigarettes sold in Canada after October 1st 2005 meet the Cigarette Ignition Propensity Regulations published last Monday, the 13th of June. The new regulations will make cigarettes less likely to start fires, by making cigarettes that are left unattended either generate less heat or extinguish themselves. Between 1995 and 1999, unattended cigarettes caused fires that killed a total of 356 people and injured 1615 more.
May 31, 2005 A World No Tobacco Day Message from Canada’s Health Professionals. Leading Canadian health agencies are calling on the federal government to articulate how Canada will continue to help developing countries protect their citizens from tobacco industry products. This call comes on the first World No Tobacco Day since the international Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (the FCTC) came into force,
May 17, 2005 Physicians applaud new initiatives to strengthen tobacco control in Newfoundland, Quebec and Ontario. When implemented, these new measures will dramatically increase the number of Canadians living in smoke-free jurisdictions to 75% within one year.
April 27, 2005 The $100 million election goodie that kills people. Doctors condemn back-door taxpayers’ subsidy to continued tobacco growing and propose a better idea for helping tobacco farmers exit the tobacco growing business.
February 27, 2005 The Alberta government now has an increased obligation to protect the public from second hand smoke, says a national group of Canadian physicians.
February 25, 2005 Landmark Tobacco Treaty Takes Effect on February 27th –
January 17, 2005 – Tobacco company payments to retailers for cigarette promotions increase by 50%.

Newsletter

December 2005

2004

Analysis

Presence of tobacco advertising in Canadian retail stores (1996-2003)

Commentary

December 15, 2004 Ontario measures weaker than needed.
December 14, 2004 – Parliament and Health Canada work together to protect lives.
November 30, 2004  “Forty reasons to cheer. Five million reasons to mourn.” Doctors applaud 40th ratification of global tobacco treaty .
November 4, 2004  R-A-T-I-F-Y. Kingston students spell-out need for Canada to ratify the new global tobacco treaty
October 25, 2004 PSC hopes that Canadian courts will certify a class action suit and hold tobacco companies accountable for the harmful marketing of cigarettes as ‘light’ or ‘mild.’
September 7, 2004  Mourning the death of Joe Battaglia.
August 26, 2004  Students blow smoke on campus tobacco marketing.
August 24, 2004 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada today released its correspondence to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Tobacco
July 22, 2004  Tobacco Treaty Deserves Urgent Attention of new Foreign Minister.
July 20, 2004  Appointment of Ujjal Dosanjh as Health Minister could mean stronger federal action against tobacco.
May 31, 2004. PSC asks provincial ministers of health to clear the way for Canada’s ratification of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
April 6, 2004  Canadian health groups today called on the Prime Minister to give priority to tobacco control program.
March 31, 2004  Doctors ask Bob Speller to fairly compensate tobacco farmers and phase out tobacco growing in Canada by 2010. Press Release Letter to Minister Speller
March 31, 2004  Fire-safe cigarettes will be required in Canada by year’s end.
March 8, 2004  Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada welcomes suggestions that Imperial Tobacco will end subsidies to Canadian tobacco farmers. Press release
March 2, 2004  Heather Crowe congratulates Manitoba for introducing legislation to protect workers and the public from second-hand smoke.
January 26, 2004 –  Ottawa – Health Canada’s deputy minister should withdraw from the board of the Public Policy Forum after that agency appoints Jodi Whtie, a former senior manager of IMASCO as its president, suggests PSC.
January 21, 2004 – Weedless Wednesday  Press release Heather Crowe’s January 15, 2004 letter to Labour Ministers
January 14, 2004 CCAT tax brief – “A Win-WIn: Enhancing Public Health and Public Revenue”
January 2, 2004  New York regulators require fire-safe cigarettes and New Zealand researchers show how easily it can be done.

Newsletter

June 2004
November 2004

2003

Commentary

December 10, 2003  Heather Crowe asks to meet Premier Ralph Klein to urge him to make all Alberta workplaces smoke-free. Press release
December 1, 2003  Happy Birthday? Two years after indication that ‘light’ and ‘mild’ would be banned, not much has happened. PSC calls on government to explain.  Press release
November 27, 2003  Tobacco companies use bully tactics to silence health groups. PSC calls their bluff.  News release and related documents
November 11, 2003  Canada should ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – and set high standards for its implementation.  Press release, draft legislation and backgrounder.
October 3, 2003  “The Ball Is In Your Court” Doctors call to restore Saskatchewan’s ban on retail displays of cigarettes
August 14, 2003  Press release.  PSC thanks Prime Minister for resisting pressure to exempt Formula 1 racing from restrictions on tobacco promotions
July 14, 2003  News-release. Canada’s Help Needed to Stem Global Tobacco Pandemic.
June 26, 2003  News-release. Government spends more in tax expenditures for cigarette promotions than it does on anti-tobacco initiatives
June 13, 2003  Doctors welcome proposed changes to Canada’s Criminal Law.
May 20th, 2003  Heather Crowe pays tribute to Barbara Tarbox.
March 24, 2003  PSC says $10 billion court judgment one more reason to ban ‘light’ cigarette labels.
February 28, 2003  Canadian health groups welcome text for global tobacco treaty.
January 22, 2003  Health Minister Challenged to Follow Through on Big Ticket Tobacco Control Measures.

Newsletter

November 2003

2002

Regulatory submission

Response to proposed changes to Tobacco Product Information Regulations (Toxic Statements)

Commentary

December 9, 2002.  Cost UNDERruns Will Harm Health. Press release and Letter to Auditor General
November 27, 2002. Heather Crowe asks Labour Ministers to ban smoking in all Canadian workplaces.
November 11, 2002.  The marketing of KOOL cigarettes is anything but. PSC asks the government to step in .
July 24, 2002.  With the Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco, PSC congratulates Ottawa on the one-year anniversary of going smoke-free.
April 24, 2002.  PSC sends a message to Big Tobacco:  Stop killing babies.
January 23, 2002.  On Weedless Wednesday, PSC calls for safer marijuana policy.  Press release and position paper.

Newsletter

November 2002
July 2002

2000 and earlier

Analysis

Advertising Expenditures in Canada 1987-2000.
A Guide to Tobacco-Free Mutual Funds. 1998

Commentary

October 2, 2001.  B.C. citizens support smoke-free regulations. Press Release and Poll results (by party and by region).
September 10, 2001. PSC uncovers tobacco industry documents showing that smokers don’t stop frequenting bars and restaurants after a smoking ban.  Press release.
August 13, 2001. 1.4 million Canadian smokers are deceived by light and mild descriptors on cigarettes. Fact sheet and backgrounder
June 27, 2001. Ottawa’s smoke-free by-laws are valid. Press Release.
June 6, 2001.  PSC releases report on “Elastic” cigarettes.  Press Release, Research Paper and Table of Results.
June 5, 2001. PSC praises Joe Battaglia for taking on Big Tobacco.  Press Release
May 25, 2001.  PSC releases a letter to Members of Parliament regarding S-15 (the Tobacco Youth Protection), drawing attention to two significant flaws in the legislation that may not be amendable in the House of Commons.
May 23, 2001. PSC releases analysis of how trade agreements can threaten tobacco control measures.  An Introduction to International Trade Agreements and their impact on Public Measures to Reduce Tobacco Use, can be downloaded in pdf format (360k, with optional cover, 127k), or ordered by contacting PSC. See also Press Release.
April 5, 2001.  Government announces tax increases and program funding increases — PSC responds with applause.
March 6, 2001.  The proposed hand-out to tobacco farmers: Bad health policy. Bad agricultural policy. Bad public policy.
February 7, 2001. Was the RCMP directed to go easy on companies involved in the tobacco black market? Health groups want to know.
January 24, 2001. Health Groups Applaud BC’s Leadership in Tobacco Control.
January 16, 2001.   Newly released tobacco documents show plans to deceive consumers and authorities.
October 10, 2000.  Negotiations Begin on Global Treaty on Tobacco.
May 31, 2000.  Forum on Tobacco Industry Documents
February 8, 2000:  Doctors’ group calls on B.C. government to release tobacco industry documents
November 11, 1999:  Imperial Tobacco’s ‘Elastic’ Cigarettes . Study shows that cigarettes were designed to release more nicotine
October 25, 1999:  Abnormally low tobacco taxes are a rip-off of public money and are prolonging the tobacco epidemic, health groups say
June 24, 1999: One in three kids’ health at risk from household smoke, doctors warn
June 1, 1999: Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada honours Dr. Richard Stanwick
April 28, 1999:  Secret Documents Show Imperial Tobacco Targeted Youth “Starters”
April 26, 1999:  Tobacco Company Breaking Law, says Doctors’ Group
November 16, 1998:  A Guide to Tobacco-Free Mutual Funds
October 28, 1998:  Despite law, cigarette marketing continues to increase

Newsletters

May 2001 – 2000
October 2000
November 1999

Analysis, submissions, commentary

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2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2025

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2000 and earlier