May 6, 2005

Dear Editor,

I am writing with regard to Bill 164 – Smoke-Free Ontario Act – currently before the Ontario Legislature.  This legislation is a positive step toward limiting retail display of tobacco products.  I have a concern, however, that the Act may allow the tobacco industry to continue advertising through retail displays known as “power walls”.  Power walls are large displays of cigarettes, placed at eye level behind the counter at convenience stores and other retail establishments.

The tobacco industry knows the importance of these displays -- in 2003 they paid retailers $88 million to display their products.   Children and youth are frequent customers to convenience stores.   They regularly see these large displays which are greatly out of proportion to what is needed to supply the market.  These power walls give the impression that there are a lot of smokers, and that cigarettes are just a normal product, like gum or milk. 

De-normalizing tobacco is an important strategy in preventing the initiation of smoking by youth.  Removing point-of-sale tobacco advertising reduces the exposure children have to tobacco displays and messages, and would be a significant policy step toward realizing the goal of a smoke-free Ontario.

We need your help to encourage the government to set policy that protects our children from tobacco advertising.  If you agree that tobacco products should be out of sight, it’s not too late to write to Premier McGuinty or the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, to ask for the complete retail ban of tobacco displays in Bill 164.   Email:  Dalton.McGuinty@premier.gov.on.ca  or gsmitherman.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Sincerely,

Hazel Lynn, MD, CCFP, FCFP, MHSc

Medical Officer of Health