U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Hits New All-Time Low
TimeNov 29, 2022
The Spin
Narrative A
This news — which follows a 75-day public consultation period — should be applauded, as it will help smokers switch from conventional cigarettes to less harmful alternatives. While no risk-free tobacco products exist, e-cigarettes are, for example, 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Moreover, the stringent measure will likely lower the death rate for tobacco-related diseases and reduce the country's healthcare costs.
Narrative B
This is a redundant strategy as there's no evidence that such labels will deter those with a high nicotine dependence from smoking. Being a smoker is a willful, personal decision, which is why grisly photos and heinous warnings already printed on cigarette packets have failed to decrease smoking rates in Canada. This latest move only favors e-cigarette producers and aims to increase government revenue rather than combat a killer addiction.
Narrative C
Instead of waging war on cigarettes, which makes the intensely popular product more expensive and lucrative, Canada must address smoking risks by slashing nicotine levels in both paper and e-cigarettes and changing or limiting the available points of sale for cigarettes. These productive measures would further wean Canadians from addictive tobacco products and reduce smoking-related illnesses.