The Alberta government will ban the sale of menthol-flavoured tobacco later this year over concerns that the products make youth more likely to start smoking.
“More than half of young tobacco users are using flavoured tobacco, whether it’s menthol or a fruit or candy flavour,” health minister Sarah Hoffman wrote in a release announcing the ban.
“By banning the sale of these products, we can reduce tobacco use among youth and help our children stay healthy.”
Hoffman said stores will be allowed to sell menthol-flavoured tobacco until the end of September, so that they can clear their current stock.
The announcement comes a day before a similar ban on other types of flavoured tobacco comes into effect in the province. On June 1, non-menthol varieties of tobacco will be prohibited, with the exception of pipe tobacco and cigars costing more than $4.
Cigarettes, bidis — a form of thin, hand-rolled cigarette — and some cigars will have to be sold in minimum package sizes.
Monday’s ban was introduced by the Progressive Conservative government in November. At the time, the NDP criticized the government for specifically excluding menthol products.
