Cigar maker wants Alberta tobacco law reconsidered
Casa Cubana says flavoured cigars not a gateway product for young people
A Quebec-based cigar distributor is lobbying the Alberta government not to proclaim new legislation that would ban flavoured tobacco products.
Alberta's Tobacco Reduction Amendment Act received royal assent last month, but the Progressive Conservative government has not set a date for when it will go into effect.
A company called Casa Cubana has written to Premier Alison Redford and some cabinet ministers this month asking for the law to be reconsidered.
The legislation gives the government full regulatory authority over all flavoured tobacco products including menthol cigarettes.
Health Minister Fred Horne says the province is still writing the regulations designed to protect children from tobacco use and will proclaim the legislation later this year.
Casa Cubana says flavoured tobacco is not a gateway product that leads young people to use other tobacco products.
It warns Alberta stands to lose $11 million per year in tax revenue from the sale of its cigars.