CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Canada’s successful implementation of warnings directly on individual cigarettes
1
Canadian Cancer Society
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A31
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
In 2024, Canada set a world precedent by requiring a health warning to appear directly on individual cigarettes. Such a warning reaches everyone who smokes, in every community, every day, with every cigarette, and with every puff. The warning allows for messages in addition to what appears with packaging. A young person may experiment with smoking by borrowing a cigarette from a friend – the warning on the cigarette will be seen even if the packaging warning is not. In many low-income countries, cigarettes are often sold individually without a package, thus increasing the importance of requiring warnings directly on cigarettes. The warnings prompt discussion, including in the media, during smoke breaks, as well as with kids speaking with their parents after seeing cigarette butts at home. The warnings are recommended for consideration by guidelines under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
METHODS:
This presentation provides an overview of the rationale for requiring health warnings directly on individual cigarettes, as well as Canada’s successful experience with implementation.
RESULTS:
The measure was implemented in Canada despite tobacco industry opposition, following an advocacy campaign of two decades. In Canada, there are 2 sets of 6 rotated bilingual warnings that were finalized following a regulatory development and consultation process. Requiring health warnings on individual cigarettes is supported by research with more than 30 studies internationally providing evidence of the effectiveness of the measure, including research in Canada after implementation. For decades worldwide, tobacco companies have printed brand names, logos and colours in brand colours on the filter overwrap part of the cigarette. This further demonstrates feasibility, as well as the important communications value of the space used. Warnings directly on cigarettes are highly cost-effective given that health ministries determine the messages, but tobacco companies pay the costs of printing. As of July 1, 2025, Australia became the second country to require warnings on individual cigarettes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Requiring warnings on individual cigarettes is easy, is evidence-based, reaches everyone who smokes, and has no cost to governments. The experience of Canada and Australia provide examples for other countries to do the same.
In 2024, Canada set a world precedent by requiring a health warning to appear directly on individual cigarettes. Such a warning reaches everyone who smokes, in every community, every day, with every cigarette, and with every puff. The warning allows for messages in addition to what appears with packaging. A young person may experiment with smoking by borrowing a cigarette from a friend – the warning on the cigarette will be seen even if the packaging warning is not. In many low-income countries, cigarettes are often sold individually without a package, thus increasing the importance of requiring warnings directly on cigarettes. The warnings prompt discussion, including in the media, during smoke breaks, as well as with kids speaking with their parents after seeing cigarette butts at home. The warnings are recommended for consideration by guidelines under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
METHODS:
This presentation provides an overview of the rationale for requiring health warnings directly on individual cigarettes, as well as Canada’s successful experience with implementation.
RESULTS:
The measure was implemented in Canada despite tobacco industry opposition, following an advocacy campaign of two decades. In Canada, there are 2 sets of 6 rotated bilingual warnings that were finalized following a regulatory development and consultation process. Requiring health warnings on individual cigarettes is supported by research with more than 30 studies internationally providing evidence of the effectiveness of the measure, including research in Canada after implementation. For decades worldwide, tobacco companies have printed brand names, logos and colours in brand colours on the filter overwrap part of the cigarette. This further demonstrates feasibility, as well as the important communications value of the space used. Warnings directly on cigarettes are highly cost-effective given that health ministries determine the messages, but tobacco companies pay the costs of printing. As of July 1, 2025, Australia became the second country to require warnings on individual cigarettes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Requiring warnings on individual cigarettes is easy, is evidence-based, reaches everyone who smokes, and has no cost to governments. The experience of Canada and Australia provide examples for other countries to do the same.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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