Sask. health organizations call on province to do more to reduce smoking rates

Donna Pasiechnik describes Saskatchewan's youth smoking rateas an "epidemic."

Pasiechnik, a health policy analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), has joinedseveral other health organizations, including the Saskatchewan Medical Association, in urging the provincial government to implement strategies to reduce smoking.

• More teens in Sask. are smokers than in any other province: Health Canada survey
• Canadian Cancer Society says e-cigarette rates for Sask. teens a 'wake-up call'

"We have been calling for years now to update our tobacco control laws to prevent more kids from starting and that simply has not happened," Pasiechnik told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Saskatchewan hasthe highest rate of youth smokers, according totheCanadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drug Surveydone in 2017, the latest data available.

The survey shows 21.9per cent of youth aged 15 to 19 are current smokers compared to eightper cent nationally.

The Saskatchewan Coalition for Tobacco Reductionreleaseda report Monday outlining a list of policy recommendations aimed at reducing tobacco use and generating revenue for tobacco control enforcement and programs.

Some of the recommendations include increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products, banning all hookah smoking wherever smoking is banned andbanning flavours in all tobacco products.

"We've been calling for a ban on flavoured tobacco because we know flavoured tobacco products are extremely popular among young kids," saidPasiechnik.

"The federal government has banned most flavours. They banned menthol tobacco. Seven other provinces have banned all flavoured tobacco products including smokeless tobacco, which here in Saskatchewan is extremely popular."

The report also calls for stricter rulesaround e-cigarettes andvaping.

Pasiechniksaidconcerns about vapingproducts "seem to fall on deaf ears"and that Saskatchewan and Alberta are the only provinces that haven't regulatedvaping.

She said there's been a "huge spike" in vapingand she expects that to continue if regulations don't become more stringent.

Increase prices

The report also recommendsincreasing the price of tobacco products and introducing tobacco licences for retailers.

"Saskatchewan and Alberta are the only provinces where you do not need a licence to sell tobacco," said Pasiechnik.

Selling tobacco or tobacco productsis not allowed in pharmacies or retail stores that are connected to a pharmacy, according to the province's web site.

Pasiechnik said a price increase and licenceswould enable the government to spend more on reducing smoking.

Gov't meeting

Pasiechniksaid she had a productive meeting with Health Minister Jim Reiterand other government officials before Christmas.

Now she wants action.

"I have made it sort of a a job of mine to speak to as many individual MLAsas is possible to educate them about why we should all be concerned about what needs to be done," she said.

"This is a non-partisan issue, as far as the Canadian Cancer Society is concerned."

Saskatchewan had the second highest smoking ratesfor adults aged 20-24 and older than 45, finishing behind Newfoundland.

CBC has reached out to the provincial government for a response.