TOBACCO TO NO LONGER BE SOLD IN PHARMACIES BEGINNING APRIL 1

The Saskatchewan Government continues to fulfill its commitment to reduce tobacco use and help Saskatchewan residents to make healthy lifestyle choices. Beginning tomorrow, April 1, 2011, the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products will no longer be permitted in pharmacies.

Selling tobacco or tobacco-related products will also be prohibited in a retail store, if a pharmacy is located in that store or if customers of a pharmacy can directly access the area in which tobacco products are sold.

"Pharmacists play an important role in promoting good health in the community, through education and encouraging healthy lifestyle practices," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This focus on health conflicts with selling a product that is known to cause significant health problems."

"Saskatchewan pharmacists continue to be committed to providing quality health care and advice to patients to help them maintain good health," Pharmacists' Association of Saskatchewan Executive Director Dawn Martin said. "While most pharmacies in the province do not currently sell tobacco, this legislation ensures that pharmacies continue to be consistently recognized as trusted places to go for help and advice on medications and healthy lifestyle choices."

The enforcement of the ban on selling tobacco in pharmacies will be handled
by Health Canada Tobacco Enforcement Officers. The fine for selling tobacco in prohibited places, including pharmacies, is $500.

The ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies is one of the provisions of The Tobacco Control Act, 2010. Other provisions included in this legislation ban smoking in vehicles with children under the age of 16, around doorways, windows, and air intakes of public buildings, and all tobacco use on school grounds, among others.

The tobacco legislation is part of Building a Healthier Saskatchewan: a strategy to reduce tobacco use, which addresses the goals of prevention, cessation and protection. The strategy includes initiatives on building awareness about tobacco reduction, support for schools and workplaces, supports and programs to help people quit smoking and evaluation of the initiatives within the strategy.

For more information on the ban on selling tobacco in pharmacies, other tobacco legislation and tobacco reduction in Saskatchewan, visit the Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca/smoking-and-your-health.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca