Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

What she meant to say

by Aaron Wherry on Friday, December 10, 2010 12:23pm - 16 Comments

On September 28, the Globe reported that provincial health ministers had been told by that the federal government would not be moving forward with new warning labels for cigarette packaging. When NDP health critic Megan Leslie asked about the apparent cancellation that day in the House, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq ignored the question. A month and a half later, Ms. Leslie asked again about the apparent decision and again Ms. Aglukkaq ignored the question.

This week though, in the wake of a CBC report that tobacco company lobbying preceded the apparent reversal, Ms. Aglukkaq told the House that “additional health information on labels is still under review” and “an announcement will be made soon.”

Tags: cigarette labels, cigarette warnings, cigarettes, house of commons, Leona Aglukkaq, Megan Leslie, Parliament, Question Period

More by Aaron Wherry

madeyoulook

What Health Canada said as quoted by the G&M late September: Health Canada would say only that it “continues to examine the renewal of health warning messages on tobacco packaging but is not ready to move forward at this time.”

This week, in the HoC: Ms. Aglukkaq told the House that “additional health information on labels is still under review” and “an announcement will be made soon.”

It's a mild deviation from September 28, and a deviation that might even be politically motivated in the wake of recent reports. But I would be hard pressed to call it a major reversal.

Still, ignoring specific questions (when such gems actually arise) during QP is unfortunate.
tobyornotoby

Denormalization of tobacco has stalled out, and now there are really only two types of smokers left:

1) People who wish they didn't but are so addicted they can't quit
2) Youths who want to try dangeous things to look cool and adult

I think the warnings are useless for the former and counter-productive for the latter, adding to the danger cool quotient.

If I were unscrupulous enough to market tobacco to youths, I'd go for the most garish warning Health Canada would give me and make the brand name Death Smoke or something.

Charles H.

To quote an ancient Air Farce skit: "Give me two packs of 'Smoking Can Kill You'."
LdKitchenersOwn

Really? There's no "People who just like smoking and don't give a damn if it's not good for them" left?

http://my.opera.com/ZakMichigan/blog/ Jean Chicoine

That's me, and I really don't give a damn!

Crit_Reasoning

I think they should put the same inexpensive sound chip in cigarette packs as they do in musical greeting cards.

Whenever the top of the pack is opened, a prerecorded voice in both official languages heckles: "Smoking will kill you, stupid!"

Claudia Lemire

!00% agree….
Livebloggin Junkie

Let's expand that to include fast food containers. You open a big mac and the box could chime "Eat a carrot fatty!"

CAPS

Lol!

tobyornotoby

If that works then we should have warning labels on our election ballots too.
Jan

I think it should say 'You stink,weeze and wrinkle'.

CAPS

Lisa Raitt thinks this smoking issue is sexy and wishes she was the one dealing with it.
Patchouli Blessings

Smoking makes your teeth yellow!
Smoking makes your breath smellow!

Nick O'Tine pays big funds to the conservative party, and successfully lobbied the government for changes to their plans.

His breath it reeks every time he speaks.
Thinks he's so cool but he's really a FOOOL!

Jan

It brings on early erectile dysfunction. And you don't dare take one of the blue pills, for fear of a heart attack.

Patchouli Blessings

Paying financial support to the cons causes early erectile dysfunction?

Haha, that's explains why all the blue boys here are so angry all the time.