Packages aren’t a problem

While the federal government moves ahead with the legalization of marijuana, it continues to seek stricter regulation of the tobacco industry by banning menthol cigarettes and introducing plain packaging. These tobacco regulations are an easy political win meant to generate headlines and appease a vocal, well-funded tobacco control lobby, but they do nothing to further reduce smoking rates.

Meanwhile, millions of Canadians purchase marijuana. In fact, most surveys show marijuana use as higher than smoking. According to Health Canada’s own data, the usage rate for marijuana among youth is almost six times that of tobacco, which is remarkable since marijuana is presently illegal. Also, as an illegal product, marijuana is already effectively sold in a plain package.

The federal government’s stated objective with marijuana legalization is to get people to switch over from the illegal and unregulated market to the regulated market. The government’s task force on marijuana legalization recommended plain packaging for that product.

Licensed producers of marijuana are now arguing that branding and marketing are necessary to attract consumers from the black market to the legal industry and cite the liquor industry as an example to follow. Branding justifies why it makes sense for consumers to go through the legal system instead of going to somebody they know in the neighbourhood. per cent of tobacco products. This is creating challenges for public-health officials, law enforcement, tax authorities, policy-makers and the public. Governments suffer significant revenue shortfalls in tobacco taxes. Efforts on the part of government and other organizations to protect the health of Canadians of all ages are undermined. Small retailers are losing sales.