For immediate release 

April 29, 2024  

Canada's world precedent-setting requirement for warnings directly on every individual cigarette is now being implemented with these warnings appearing on cigarettes being sold in stores. Tobacco companies have a deadline of tomorrow, Tuesday, April 30, to ensure that all their King Size cigarettes depict these new warnings. Retailers will have three additional months, until July 31, to ensure that these cigarettes have the new warnings. 

The warnings will consist of 6 rotated bilingual messages.  

Poison in every puff 

Cigarettes damage your organs 

Cigarettes cause cancer 

Tobacco smoke harms children 

Cigarettes cause impotence 

Cigarettes cause leukemia 

"These new health warnings are a unique approach because the warnings will reach youth who may be experimenting by borrowing cigarettes from a friend. The warnings will reduce smoking and the appeal of cigarettes, and thus prevent cancer and other diseases." Says The Manitoba Lung Association CEO, Juliette Mucha. 

The first set of warnings for "King Size" cigarettes (83-85 mm in length), the most common size sold and the standard international size, will be implemented on the manufacturer level on April 30, 2024 and on July 31, 2024, at the retail level. 

For "regular size" cigarettes (70-73 mm in length), the implementation date is January 31, 2025, at the manufacturer level and April 30, 2025, at the retail level.  

In 2021, 69% of the Canadian cigarette market was comprised of King Size cigarettes. The regulations requiring the warnings on cigarettes were announced on May 31, 2023, with the implementation transition period that has since followed. 

Many countries will likely follow Canada's example and adopt individual cigarette warnings, in the same way that 138 countries/territories have adopted picture warnings on cigarette packages, following the Canadian precedent implemented in 2001. In fact, Australia has also announced its plan to also require warnings on individual cigarettes. 

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada, killing 46,000 Canadians each year. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in Canada. In fact, more Canadians die of lung cancer than colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancers combined. Based on 2022 data, there are still 3.8 million Canadians who smoke, which is roughly 12% of the population aged 12+. An enormous amount of work needs to be done to achieve the objective of under 5% of Canadians using tobacco by 2035. 

About the Manitoba Lung Association 

As the recognized leader and primary resource in lung health, the Manitoba Lung Association’s mission is to help Manitobans breathe with ease. We run community lung health programs, related education services, supporting research, and advocating for healthy breathing regulations such as commercial tobacco control. We are here to help, supporting and encouraging research, and protecting the air we breathe. 

FREE Manitoba Quits smoking cessation program begins May 1st sign up here.

To learn more about The Manitoba Lung Association please visit us at www.mb.lung.ca

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For more information or media inquiries contact:  

Juliette Mucha, CEO 

Manitoba Lung Association 

Call/Text: 204-770-8331  

Email: juliette.mucha@mb.lung.ca