OTTAWA – New Democrat Health Critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis (Winnipeg North) has welcomed the government’s introduction of legislation to prohibit flavoured tobacco products aimed at luring youth to smoke.

“This bill marks an important step in shutting down tobacco marketing to youth,” said Wasylycia-Leis. “It’s a great day for young anti-tobacco activists across the country who have been campaigning for government action. Candy-flavoured cigarillos are just the latest ploy to feed the tobacco industry’s ravenous appetite for profits at any cost. We must get this bill passed and into effect as quickly as we can.”

Wasylycia-Leis brought the flavoured tobacco issue to Parliament’s attention in June 2008, when she introduced a Private Member’s Bill to ban flavoured tobacco products. Her bill received widespread support from anti-smoking groups and youth groups across Canada mounting pressure on the government to act.

“It’s been great to see the commitment and determination of groups like Manitoba Youth for Clean Air, Sisler Teens Against Nicotine and Drugs, Eastern Ontario Youth Coalition and the Northwestern Ontario Youth Action Alliance to ban flavoured tobacco products,” said Wasylycia-Leis. “They share in the success of getting this bill on the books today.”