Canadian Medical Association commends British push to decrease smoking
Posted Jun 24, 2014 3:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The British Medical Association is proposing a unique idea to stop smoking and its Canadian counterpart agrees it’s the right prescription.
The BMA is pushing that anyone born in 2000 or after should be banned from buying cigarettes once they’re adults, in their attempt to create a smoke-free generation.
Louis Francescutti is the president of the Canadian Medical Association and said although it will ultimately be up to lawmakers, it’s already creating a discussion which is key in reducing smoking.
“This is a great idea and who knows, maybe at our general council, one of our members will be motivated to propose something similar,” he said.
Critics of the plan, such as tobacco advocacy groups, say it’s too radical and unfair that certain adults will be able to purchase products and those a year younger will be prohibited.
But Francescutti points to other cutoffs, such as a drinking age or getting a drivers license and such moves are necessary because of all the money tobacco companies have at their disposal.
“It’s going to require pretty bold measures,” he said. “The novelty in this is that it’s bold, it will generate a lot of discussion.”
