Latest news with #EricGagnon
Cision Canada
26-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
IMPERIAL TOBACCO CANADA SUPPORTS VAPING REGULATIONS TO PROTECT YOUTH Français
MONTREAL, May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial) agrees with public health organizations highlighting the need to further address youth vaping in Canada. We share a common goal: protecting young people from vaping use while continuing to support adult smokers in their journey to quit cigarettes. Recent survey data shows that youth vaping in Canada is on the decline. This is a positive trend, but more decisive action is needed to keep the momentum going. "We agree that more must be done to restrict youth access to vaping products, and that there are too many flavoured products on the market," said Eric Gagnon, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial. "We support the proposed federal vaping regulations to restrict flavours to tobacco, menthol and mint and we believe these flavours are sufficient for adult smokers looking to quit." It is important, however, that any regulation be reviewed from an evidence-based scientific perspective; for example, as drafted, the current regulations would permit the use of several ingredients shown to be carcinogenic in vapour products. Imperial also suggest restricting the size and volume of devices, as higher puff count products can pose safety risks and may be purchased at a discount which can be more accessible to youth. The company warns that stronger enforcement is needed to uphold the law — and Quebec's recent experience has shown that without collaboration and sufficient policing of illegal products, legislating tougher rules just pushes products into the black market. We encourage governments and health groups to support a national enforcement plan, to remove illegal and non-compliant products from stores, and address the lack of compliance related to online sales. Finally, the government should allow factual communication and information to adult smokers on the health benefits of switching from cigarettes to vaping. This is crucial to further reduce smoking rates in the country. The vast majority of smokers continue to believe that vaping is as harmful as smoking which is not aligned with what credible health organizations around the world say, including Health Canada. "Imperial is eager to work with public health groups as well as the new federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to take a balanced, evidence-based approach: one that protects youth, supports adults seeking alternatives to smoking, and enforces the rules already in place," concluded Gagnon. Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better. SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
IMPERIAL TOBACCO CANADA SUPPORTS VAPING REGULATIONS TO PROTECT YOUTH
MONTREAL, May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial) agrees with public health organizations highlighting the need to further address youth vaping in Canada. We share a common goal: protecting young people from vaping use while continuing to support adult smokers in their journey to quit cigarettes. Recent survey data shows that youth vaping in Canada is on the decline. This is a positive trend, but more decisive action is needed to keep the momentum going. "We agree that more must be done to restrict youth access to vaping products, and that there are too many flavoured products on the market," said Eric Gagnon, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial. "We support the proposed federal vaping regulations to restrict flavours to tobacco, menthol and mint and we believe these flavours are sufficient for adult smokers looking to quit." It is important, however, that any regulation be reviewed from an evidence-based scientific perspective; for example, as drafted, the current regulations would permit the use of several ingredients shown to be carcinogenic in vapour products. Imperial also suggest restricting the size and volume of devices, as higher puff count products can pose safety risks and may be purchased at a discount which can be more accessible to youth. The company warns that stronger enforcement is needed to uphold the law — and Quebec's recent experience has shown that without collaboration and sufficient policing of illegal products, legislating tougher rules just pushes products into the black market. We encourage governments and health groups to support a national enforcement plan, to remove illegal and non-compliant products from stores, and address the lack of compliance related to online sales. Finally, the government should allow factual communication and information to adult smokers on the health benefits of switching from cigarettes to vaping. This is crucial to further reduce smoking rates in the country. The vast majority of smokers continue to believe that vaping is as harmful as smoking which is not aligned with what credible health organizations around the world say, including Health Canada. "Imperial is eager to work with public health groups as well as the new federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to take a balanced, evidence-based approach: one that protects youth, supports adults seeking alternatives to smoking, and enforces the rules already in place," concluded Gagnon. About Imperial Tobacco Canada Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better. SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
16-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CRACKING DOWN ON CONTRABAND: IMPERIAL TOBACCO COMMENDS ONTARIO'S LEADERSHIP Français
MONTREAL, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial) congratulates Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy on taking decisive action against contraband tobacco products in the 2025 Budget. Reducing the prevalence and accessibility of contraband tobacco products in the province will not only have a positive impact on the safety of local communities but will also have considerable positive outcomes on the province's finances by recovering millions of dollars of lost tax revenue, which can be used to support key government initiatives. "It is encouraging to see that the Ford government is acknowledging that the fight against contraband tobacco is essential to the safety and wellbeing of communities across the province", says Eric Gagnon, Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial. "We thank the province for their leadership on this important file and look forward to working together to combat contraband tobacco, undermine organized crime and keep people safe." Imperial is especially pleased to see the following key elements of the Budget reflecting this ambition: Expanded Penalties: Ontario is extending fines under the Tobacco Tax Act to cover the possession of illicit tobacco products other than cigarettes, including cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco. Also, the government will strengthen fines for other offences related to contraband tobacco. Stronger Enforcement: The province is boosting support for the Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team (CTET), enhancing coordination with the OPP to target links between illicit tobacco, drugs, and firearms. Online Sales & National Action: Ontario is tackling the rise of online contraband tobacco sales and urging federal cooperation to build a national enforcement framework—joining Alberta in pushing for cross-country action. The Ontario Budget highlights online sales and distribution as a major driver of the illicit tobacco trade and urges the federal government to take strong national action to address this threat. "The provinces need the support of the federal government when it comes to illicit trade, so we are encouraged that Ontario is calling for much-needed federal leadership on an issue that affects all provinces and communities across the country", noted Eric Gagnon. Imperial calls on other provincial governments and Ottawa to follow Ontario's lead and tackle Canada's contraband tobacco trade through collaboration and smart policy for the good of Canadians, and for the long-term benefit of government coffers. Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CRACKING DOWN ON CONTRABAND: IMPERIAL TOBACCO COMMENDS ONTARIO'S LEADERSHIP
MONTREAL, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Imperial Tobacco Canada (Imperial) congratulates Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy on taking decisive action against contraband tobacco products in the 2025 Budget. Reducing the prevalence and accessibility of contraband tobacco products in the province will not only have a positive impact on the safety of local communities but will also have considerable positive outcomes on the province's finances by recovering millions of dollars of lost tax revenue, which can be used to support key government initiatives. "It is encouraging to see that the Ford government is acknowledging that the fight against contraband tobacco is essential to the safety and wellbeing of communities across the province", says Eric Gagnon, Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at Imperial. "We thank the province for their leadership on this important file and look forward to working together to combat contraband tobacco, undermine organized crime and keep people safe." Imperial is especially pleased to see the following key elements of the Budget reflecting this ambition: Expanded Penalties: Ontario is extending fines under the Tobacco Tax Act to cover the possession of illicit tobacco products other than cigarettes, including cigars, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco. Also, the government will strengthen fines for other offences related to contraband tobacco. Stronger Enforcement: The province is boosting support for the Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team (CTET), enhancing coordination with the OPP to target links between illicit tobacco, drugs, and firearms. Online Sales & National Action: Ontario is tackling the rise of online contraband tobacco sales and urging federal cooperation to build a national enforcement framework—joining Alberta in pushing for cross-country action. The Ontario Budget highlights online sales and distribution as a major driver of the illicit tobacco trade and urges the federal government to take strong national action to address this threat. "The provinces need the support of the federal government when it comes to illicit trade, so we are encouraged that Ontario is calling for much-needed federal leadership on an issue that affects all provinces and communities across the country", noted Eric Gagnon. Imperial calls on other provincial governments and Ottawa to follow Ontario's lead and tackle Canada's contraband tobacco trade through collaboration and smart policy for the good of Canadians, and for the long-term benefit of government coffers. About Imperial Tobacco Canada Imperial Tobacco Canada is the leading tobacco and nicotine company in Canada, part of the global BAT group. Our mission at BAT is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by promoting a Smokeless World. We envision a future where smokeless products replace cigarettes, encouraging smokers to make a Switch to Better. SOURCE Imperial Tobacco Canada View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
