INDEPTH: Smoking up a Storm

Rock made the announcement Monday at the annual meeting of the Canadian Medical Association in Quebec City.

The new legislation will be introduced this fall.

Rock said he expects cigarette companies to challenge the new legislation, but he added they've been deceiving the public since the marketing terms were introduced in 1976.

"We have evidence that people are confused by these expressions," he noted. "Speak the truth - all cigarettes are totally unacceptable."

He said some smokers end up removing the blocking filter on the lighter brands and smoke greater numbers of those cigarettes.

Health groups welcomed the decision.

Dr. Peter Barrett with the Canadian Medical Association says they are "quite happy" about Rock's announcement.

"We welcome that as a health initiative in this country," Barrett said.

A representative from the Ontario Non-Smokers' Rights Association said it's a good decision to stop what he calls a "massive consumer fraud."

David Sweanor said a majority of Canadian smokers buy "light" or "mild" cigarettes and believe they are making a safer choice.

Sweanor said smokers are faced with pressure from friends and family to quit, and may buy a lighter brand to appease them.

He said there is no less tar and nicotine in the cigarettes, and that they were designed to cheat tobacco testing machines.

The tobacco industry says the terms are not misleading, and that tar levels in "light" or "mild" cigarettes are lower than in regular ones.

It's not the first time Rock has tried to make the change.

Last May he told the tobacco industry to drop the marketing terms.

He said Sunday that their lack of action has left him with no choice.

F*** Me was that every funny...I laughed for 10 straight minutes. I would love to sit around with you some night at a pub drinking beer, shooting stories. I like your humour...great stuff! Sucking Chest wound...yeah...but buddies zig zags are probably wet from lying in an ORV for 2 hours!! HA HA HA Oh well call the doc for a quick hit on the portable camoflauge (new pattern of course) bong!!!! Great stuff...maybe someday we can link up and laugh over a brew or two. Thanks...made my night!

I know that there must be a connection...?

First, let's eliminate all the firearms in private hands that aren't controlled by the police and armed forces. Second we'll stop cigarette sales and the 7 million smokers that used to own guns will freak out and go cold turkey...!

My God! These politicians are smarter than they look! They are actually planning to prevent a full scale massacre when everyone goes into full withdrawl. Can you imagine the chaos! Which is probably why they allowed Nicorette gum to be purchased without a perscription, leading to higher sales and more tax revenue!

Boy!! These politicians are a lot smarter than me to figure this one out!!

Am I ever glad to know that my Government is soooo smart to figure this one out in advance...

Dileas