Canadian Cancer Society Wants To Ban Flavored Cigarillos

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - The Canadian Cancer Society is appealing for the government to ban flavored cigarillos because a national survey has revealed that a high number of teens are experimenting with the products.

Rob Cunningham, spokesperson of the society, said that these products are attractive to the youth because they come in fruit, candy and ice cream flavors.

More so, Cunningham said that the products could be a starter product for youngsters. Cigarillos are easier to obtain because they are more affordable than cigarettes, he added.

Health warnings on cigarillo packs are not as prominent as those on cigarette packs. Individually packed cigarillos do not even have health warnings.

According to the 2006 - 2007 Youth Smoking Survey done by the University of Waterloo and released on Monday, 35 percent of Grade 10 to 12 students have tried cigars, cigarillos and little cigars. Some 48 per cent of the 71,000 respondents in the study from Grades 5 to 12 from across Canada have tried cigarettes.