opinion: working together toward a smokeless future for canada
we believe there is a constructive path forward and are investing in solutions that support harm reduction, informed regulation, and better health outcomes for all canadians
4 minute read
every person who chooses to quit tobacco use should have easy access to the tools, programs, and professional guidance needed to succeed.
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a recent editorial in healthing.ca called on the ontario government to invest into programs and initiatives that would reduce tobacco and nicotine use across the province. it outlined the key priorities of the heart & stroke, canadian cancer society and canadian lung association: stronger enforcement, more funding for cessation programs, public awareness campaigns targeting youth, and increased investment in research.
at imperial tobacco canada (imperial), we were encouraged to see alignment between the asks of these groups and our own goals as a company. to be clear, we also support giving canadian adults the information and tools they need to quit smoking, we encourage enforcement that would stamp out the illicit market, and we want to keep all tobacco and nicotine products out of the hands of youth. we believe there is a constructive path forward and are investing in solutions that support harm reduction, informed regulation, and better health outcomes for all canadians.
we are especially encouraged by the ontario government’s focus on enforcement in this year’s provincial budget. compliance and enforcement are critical to any successful public health framework. rules without oversight are rules in name only, and when it comes to keeping tobacco and nicotine products out of the hands of youth and reducing the impact of illicit trade, actual enforcement matters. strengthening the resources and tools available to inspectors and public health units will go a long way in protecting minors, ensuring product safety, and maintaining the integrity of ontario’s smoke-free framework.
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that said, enforcement alone is not enough. we agree with the editorial’s argument that meaningful reductions in smoking and vaping will come from comprehensive, coordinated efforts across the entire health system. one area that cannot be overstated is support for cessation. every person who chooses to quit tobacco use should have easy access to the tools, programs, and professional guidance needed to succeed. whether that’s through nicotine replacement therapies (nrt), like health canada approved nicotine pouches, peer-led counselling, or digital and virtual supports, cessation efforts need to be accessible.
key to this for adult smokers, whether they are looking for support in major cities or in remote communities, these nrt products and the necessary science backed information should be available to them where they buy their cigarettes. ontario has already made progress on some of these fronts, but there is clearly room to grow, and we support additional investment in making cessation resources more widespread and sustainable.
education, particularly for youth, is another cornerstone of our push to prevent youth access to nicotine products. we believe that a proactive and targeted public awareness campaign can help inform youth about the risks of smoking and vaping. campaigns that are based on science, not fear-mongering or misinformation, and shaped in collaboration with educators, parents, and health professionals can drive real behavioural change.
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equally as important would be a campaign to highlight less harmful options for adult smokers like vaping. we owe it to everyone to provide clear, factual, and balanced information, so vaping can serve as an effective smoking alternative, supported by strong product stewardship and enforcement.
alongside education and cessation, research also plays an essential role. evidence is the backbone of smart public policy. it helps us understand patterns of use, identifies gaps in service delivery, and supports the development of new technologies and approaches. imperial strongly supports further investment in independent, peer-reviewed research based here in canada and the public and policymakers deserve transparent, science-based data to guide decision-making.
ultimately, we believe there is far more common ground between public health advocates, policymakers, and our industry than there is division. the goals we share, reducing youth use, protecting public health, having responsible regulation and ensuring its enforcement, are goals worth pursuing together. the ontario government has already taken a meaningful step by making enforcement a budgetary priority. now, there is an opportunity to build on that foundation by making bold, balanced investments across the other key areas.
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at imperial tobacco canada, we understand our responsibilities and are committed to working on pragmatic, evidence-based solutions that support public health goals. we believe progress comes through dialogue, not division, and we’re ready to collaborate with transparency, honesty, and a shared commitment to improved health outcomes. only together, can we help ontario become a model for reducing smoking, enhancing product safety, and building healthier communities.
eric gagnon is the vice president of corporate & regulatory affairs at imperial tobacco canada. eric brings over two decades of experience in corporate affairs, regulatory strategy, and stakeholder engagement, experience that spans both canada and europe. he joined imperial in 2009 and has since taken on a range of leadership roles, most recently as vice president of a newly created function that brings together corporate communications, government relations, esg, and regulatory affairs. eric also serves as the company’s spokesperson.
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