New health warnings are appearing on cigarette packages in Canada. The messages, printed on the cigarette itself as well as the package interior, is also part of the rollout from the federal government. The implementation deadline for retailers is August 1st.

The Canadian Cancer Society says the warnings are a proven measure to reduce the allure of smoking while increase awareness of the health effects which leads to reduced smoking rates in Canada.

Senior Policy Analyst for CCS, Rob Cunningham, says, “Graphic images cut through the noise. They show the devastating health effects of tobacco instantly, making the warnings far more impactful and more memorable”

The warnings cover 75 per cent of the front and back of cigarette packages. Examples of the new warnings include a man who has had mouth cancer, a baby exposed to second-hand smoke, a person after heart surgery and, for the first time, a warning on colon cancer. For warnings on individual cigarettes, there are 6 new messages, including “Tobacco smoke is toxic,” “Cigarettes harm children” and “Cigarettes damage your liver.”

In 2001, Canada was the first country to require pictures as part of cigarette package warnings and in 2024, Canada became the first country to require warnings directly on individual cigarettes.