Tobacco Manufacturers Support Smokers' Web Site www.mychoice.ca
09/28/04
TORONTO, Sept. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Tobacco Manufacturers'
Council (CTMC) today announced its support for a smokers' association and a
Web site designed to provide adult smokers with the tools to start advocating
on tobacco regulations or iss
The association and its Web site, called www.mychoice.ca, is a platform
to provide adult smokers with the information and tools to participate in the
public policy discussion on tobacco control. Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited,
Rothmans, Benson and Hedges Inc. and JTI-Macdonald Corp. - the three tobacco
manufacturers funding the site - believe that Canada's adult smokers want to
be heard.
"Our research shows that adult smokers want to get involved in
discussions about existing tobacco controls as well as new regulations that
are on the table," said a representative for the CTMC, Pierre Fortier. "But
this kind of platform needs resources, so we provided it. They have the choice
to step onto that platform or not."
The current information provided on the Web site is fact based. It
currently has no stated position on any tobacco control issues; it is just
balanced background information, including Health Canada's own material on how
to quit smoking.
"Positions will only emerge if adults who smoke use this platform to
voice their issues," said Mr. Fortier, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs at
Imperial Tobacco Canada. "We cannot predict what issues or positions will
emerge if this undertaking is successful. Smokers have been completely absent
from the discussions surrounding tobacco issues, and any emerging issues still
remain to be seen from their perspective."
The tobacco companies are committed to taking a hands-off approach to the
new organization, citing the need for the group's independence in order for it
to have any credibility with regulators. "Adult smokers will have to be the
judge about whether or not this will work," he said. "They are intelligent
enough to judge for themselves whether or not to participate in this
platform."
For further information: Christina Donà , Imperial Tobacco Canada,
(514) 932-6161, ext. 2113, Cell: (514) 704-8717; Yves-Thomas Dorval Imperial
Tobacco Canada, (514) 932-6161, ext. 2113, Cell: (514) 953-4918; John
McDonald, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc., (416) 442-3660; John Wildgust,
JTI-Macdonald Corp., (416) 601-7011; David Laundy, VP - Western CTMC,
(250) 413-3242