[Dion]

Alberta’s new tobacco rules won’t ban menthol

Health Minister Stephen Mandel met with reporters Thursday to give an update on the new legislation, passed late last year but awaiting proclamation while the province fleshed out regulations.

The new rules won’t include a ban on menthol-flavoured tobacco — identified by anti-smoking groups as a lure for young smokers — though other flavoured tobaccos will be forbidden, along with smaller and cheaper packs of tobacco and smoking in vehicles when children are present.

The decision was made to move quickly on the new rules, said Mandel, who added that more consultation is needed before a decision is made on menthol, also a favourite among adult smokers.

“It’s an evolutionary process,” Mandel said. “The decision was made, menthol would be one we’d leave out this time.”

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ed...609/story.html