MLAs lobbied by industry, health groups as P.E.I. considers 'groundbreaking' tobacco ban

The Canadian Cancer Society is urging Prince Edward Island's 27 MLAs to "stand firm against Big Tobacco," as lobbying efforts ramp up for and against a proposed generational tobacco ban in the province.

The idea for the ban was floated in a consultation paper for a new wellness strategy for the province on May 14.

The ban would be the first of its kind in Canada if it goes ahead, and would prevent people born after a certain date from legally purchasing tobacco products. 

As an example, the province said anyone born after Jan. 1, 2009, could be restricted from purchasing tobacco. That means the ban would start to kick in by 2030, when those people begin turning 21, the current minimum age to buy tobacco in P.E.I.

Two days after the idea for the ban was put forward, the lobbying had already begun.

"While Imperial supports the goal of reducing Canada's smoking rate … prohibition is not the answer," a spokesperson for Imperial Tobacco, Sabrina Chartrand, wrote to at least some Island MLAs in an email dated May 16.

Chartrand's email provides a number of reasons why her company thinks the ban is a bad idea: that it would spur contraband cigarette sales; that it would risk "making cigarettes more appealing, not less;" and that it could even hurt P.E.I.'s tourism industry when potential visitors find they can't buy smokes while on vacation.

CBC News reached out to Chartrand and to multiple lobbyists registered on P.E.I. who listed Imperial Tobacco and Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc. as clients. None would provide an interview.

In a statement, Imperial Tobacco told CBC it engaged with MLAs to make sure they "understood the unintended implications of a generational ban and tobacco sales restrictions."

In its own email to MLAs on July 18, the Canadian Cancer Society urged politicians to "stand firm against Big Tobacco."

"Make no mistake, these companies are not trying to protect Islanders or Island children's health and wellbeing," the letter states. "They are trying to use fear to protect themselves and their bottom lines."

While lobbyists are required to be registered in P.E.I., their interactions with MLAs and government are not tracked. 

Members of the legislature are also not included under the province's freedom of information act, so it's difficult to track how much effort is being put forward by either side in the debate over P.E.I.'s proposed ban.

When asked about feedback and reaction from interest groups including the tobacco industry, a representative from the P.E.I. Department of Health and Wellness noted that public consultations on its wellness plan had recently concluded.