News Release Archive
HEALTH--TOBACCO REGULATIONS NOW IN PLACE ------------------------------------------------------------ New regulations to strengthen and complement the province's Tobacco Access Act have been approved, Health Minister Ron Stewart said today. The regulations, which support the access act, cover areas such as signage, inspection, the issuing of fines, vendor compliance and requirements for proof of age. "Smoking among youth is a serious health problem," said Dr. Stewart. "The regulations are a very important step towards reducing youth tobacco use in this province." Signage will be required in at least three locations in each retail outlet. Signs will be distributed to retailers across the province over the next few weeks. One sign, a door decal, is to be displayed on the front entrance to the store. A second sign, to be displayed at the cash register, will outline the acceptable identification required to purchase tobacco. Some examples of identification are: Nova Scotia photo driver's licence, Nova Scotia Liquor Commission proof of age card and a Canadian passport. The third sign, a large health warning sign, will be located in the centre of tobacco displays typically found behind check out counters. The size of this sign is proportional to the size of the display. The following message will be printed on the sign: "Tobacco contains an ADDICTIVE DRUG & kills 1,400 Nova Scotians each year - more deaths than accidents, alcohol, AIDS, homicides and suicides combined." To ensure vendor compliance with the new regulations, youths under the age of 19 (with the consent of a parent or guardian) may be sent into stores selling tobacco products to attempt test purchases. As well, the regulations provide a further framework for tobacco inspectors to carry out a comprehensive enforcement program. The inspectors may visit retail premises, conduct an inspection, ensure proper signage compliance, issue warnings and lay charges. Retailers may face fines of up to $10,000, and a prohibition on selling tobacco products for up to two years for selling to minors, as outlined under the Tobacco Access Act. Copies of the regulations and a brief explanation of retailer responsibilities are being mailed to retailers this week. A more detailed retailers guide outlining the responsibilities of retailers under the act will be distributed with the signs. Retailers are expected to comply with the signage requirements effective March 1, 1996. Tobacco use is a very serious public health problem in Nova Scotia, the minister said. Treating smoking-related diseases is estimated to cost $65 million per year (hospital costs, physician costs, Home Care). He said in 1994, about 1,400 Nova Scotians died as a direct result of smoking, and between 80 to 100 non-smoking Nova Scotians die every year due to exposure to second-hand smoke. -30- EDITORS NOTE: Dr. Stewart is available to answer questions at 3:30 p.m. today. Contact: Lori MacLean 902-424-5025 trp Jan. 16, 1996