CORNWALL -- When it comes to the federal government's new cigarette warning labels, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit's medical officer of health, says the labels are good, but not enough.
"They're a great step in the right direction...but they're not enough," he said.
Under the proposed new rules announced last week, which could be up to a year away from taking effect, cigarette warning labels will cover 75 per cent of each package and appear inside as well.
The labels will include the phone number for a national quit line and a website address.
And they'll feature more graphic pictures, like that of a dying Barb Tarbox.
Tarbox was a lifelong smoker turned antismoking activist who died of lung and brain cancer at age 42.
Social media is also being examined as an additional part of the strategy.
"The labels don't give any new information," said Roumeliotis. "They're another good improvement, however, I think that they're not enough."
Roumeliotis said smoking rates continue to climb in Cornwall. Over 40 per cent of males between the ages of 18 and 25 are smoking. The Ontario average, he said, is closer to 27 per cent.
"I think that we need to do a lot of work when it comes to getting to the youth," he said.
"Packaging will not deter youth. What will is education early on.
"I think, in combination with other things, like Smoke Free Ontario, supporting people to stop smoking and patches...are all prongs (in the strategy) that gets people who are smoking to quit."
Roumeliotis said youth are more likely to smoke because of self-esteem and peer pressure.
"Younger-aged kids have the ability to make up their own minds," he said.
Roumeliotis said getting people who are smoking to quit and discouraging potential new smokers are the two challenges health educators face.
"(The labels) are part of it, but they're not the only solution," he said.
"It's part of a solution, but it's not the whole solution."
Roumeliotis also said the issue of contraband cigarettes continues to be a need that requires addressing.
"Thirty-five to 40 per cent of packages are contraband with no labels," he said. "This is the biggest challenge."
Carolyn Bourassa, manager of the Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott-Russell branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, agrees.
"We've been advocating to the government to attack, to get on the bandwagon as far as contraband is concerned," she said. "We're definitely asking them to make a difference and crack down."
And as far as the new packaging is concerned, Bourassa said this is definielty a good step in the right direction.
"Tobacco control has been our priority for many, many years," she said. "These new measures...(show) good progress to protect Canadians from the leading preventable cause of death. There are more people smoking, specifically kids. Locally, and everywhere, it's an issue."
She said the society is excited about the packaging changes.
"They're making some great changes," she said. "The more, the better."
Bourassa said the graphic images will serve as a change to the current packaging.
"They're graphic, they're good," she said. "The ones on the packages (currently) have been there for a long, long time. You don't even notice them anymore. In anything, change is good."
MORE OPTIONS TO BUTT OUT
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is launching a new campaign, offering people who want to quit smoking more options.
In addition to its in-person quit smoking support programs, the health unit is offering quitters support and strategies through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the health unit's website.
The health unit will be "tweeting" regular tips and updates on Twitter, as well as airing a series of videos with quit smoking coaches providing supportive check-ins, encouragement and strategies. The first video, called "Preparing to Quit," is now available on the health unit's website and Facebook page.
From Jan. 16 to 25, the health unit will air videos daily.
The videos will be available through Facebook and YouTube, as well as on the EOHU website.
For more information or to register for a quit smoking program, call the health unit at 613-933-1375 or at 1-800-267-7120, and ask for Health Line.
--With files from QMI