Report to the Conference of the Parties on the Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

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Part V: Program and Plans

2. Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS)

In addition to the National Strategy, the Government of Canada has implemented the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (See Appendix 6-E-2). This strategy was launched on April 5, 2001 and is a made-in-Canada approach intended to fit Canadian realities.

The FTCS is built on successful interventions drawn from Canada and elsewhere in the world, where comprehensive, integrated and sustained government actions have been the keys to success. A strong emphasis is placed on the importance of collaboration between the federal government and other levels of government in recognition of the fact that effectiveness in implementation of the Strategy will depend on actions of those stakeholders. Most provinces and territories now have tobacco control strategies. Therefore, the need to coordinate in order to increase leverage and synergies is more important than ever.

The five objectives of the FTCS are:

• Reduce smoking prevalence to 20% from 25% (level in 1999).
• Reduce the number of cigarettes sold by 30%.
• Increase retailer compliance regarding youth access to tobacco from 69% to 80%.
• Reduce the number of people exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in enclosed public places.
• Explore how to mandate changes to tobacco products to reduce health hazards.

Tobacco control measures in Canada are also undertaken through legislative and administrative actions. The  Tobacco Act defines the role of the federal government with regard to tobacco control activities. In addition to this, legislation and regulations exist to further support the Tobacco Act, including the  Non-Smokers' Health Act, the Excise Act, 2001,  Tobacco Reporting Regulations, Cigarette Ignition Propensity Regulations and various taxation measures.

Ensuring compliance with all tobacco-related Acts, and undertaking intelligence-gathering activities potentially leading to enforcement actions against non-compliance are other key areas of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy. This work is achieved through a coordinated approach between Health Canada, as lead Department, and the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Department of Justice, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Compliance activities range from application of the various tobacco-related Acts, monitoring and intelligence-gathering around contraband, to enforcement and prosecution through fine collection.

In addition to the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, most provinces and territories have also developed their own tobacco control strategy. A  list of provincial and territorial strategies is available at: http://www.cctc.ca/cctc/EN/frameworks