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

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