MANITOBA ELECTION

Help Make Commercial Tobacco and Youth Vaping Reduction & Prevention a Priority this Election

This provincial election, MANTRA and our partners are calling on all parties to support measures to prevent and reduce commercial tobacco use and youth vaping in Manitoba.

The Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance (MANTRA) functions as a catalyst and coordinator for commercial tobacco reduction activities in Manitoba.

Our vision: to eliminate commercial tobacco use for a healthier Manitoba.

Together with our partners we are committed to working with elected officials of all parties to protect all Manitobans by implementing policies that will reduce and prevent commercial tobacco use and youth vaping in Manitoba.

The current state of commercial tobacco use and youth vaping in Manitoba puts children and youth at risk of developing chronic and life-limiting diseases. Our recommendations are intended to reduce the burden of tobacco-related disease by protecting and improving the health of all people living in Manitoba.

We recommend the implementation of measures to reduce and prevent commercial tobacco use and youth vaping in Manitoba.

These measures include:

Increase Minimum Age for Purchase

Raising the minimum age of purchase for commercial tobacco and vaping products to age 21.

Prohibit Flavored Vaping Products

Prohibiting the sale of flavored vaping products, except for tobacco-flavoured products.

Compulsory Cost Recovery

Implementing a compulsory cost recovery mechanism on tobacco manufacturers to fully fund Manitoba’s commercial tobacco and youth vaping prevention and reduction efforts.

What this means for you:

Commercial tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Manitoba.

Youth vaping continues to impact Manitoba kids with 17% of Manitoba youth using vaping products. Youth who use vaping products are two to three times more likely to start smoking.

Effective policies will help lower the number of young people who smoke and vape in Manitoba.

  • Commercial tobacco and youth vaping prevention programs are currently paid for by the taxpayer, not the tobacco industry.

  • Implementing a cost recovery fee will require tobacco companies, not taxpayers, to pay for programs that help address the epidemic caused by the tobacco industry.

Read our policy recommendations for the 2023 provincial election.

Get involved – join us in taking action today!

Provincial elections are about setting a direction for the province.

After the ballots have been cast, we want to ensure that measures to reduce and prevent commercial tobacco use and youth vaping have a place on the next government’s agenda.

The Manitoba provincial election will take place on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

In advance of the election, we released a set of recommendations urging party leaders to adopt commercial tobacco use and youth vaping prevention and reduction measures as a priority this fall and beyond.

We have an opportunity to make a difference for Manitobans impacted by commercial tobacco use and youth vaping today and into the future.

Here’s what you can do to help.

  • Let party leaders know you support these recommendations.

    Sample email template:

    Subject line: Help prevent and reduce commercial use and youth vaping in Manitoba.

    Dear (Party Leader name),

    I am writing today as someone who cares about the burden of chronic disease in Manitoba.

    Commercial Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Manitoba with 1,525 Manitobans dying from commercial tobacco-related disease each year. For every premature death caused each year by smoking, at least 20 people who smoke live with a serious smoking-related illness. This is 30,500 Manitoba residents who are currently suffering adverse health outcomes from commercial tobacco use. Manitoba is also facing a new epidemic of youth vaping with 17% of Manitoba youth using vaping products and risking nicotine addiction. Youth who vape are two to three times more likely to start smoking. As a result, commercial tobacco use and youth vaping places an enormous burden on the quality of life, economy, and healthcare system in Manitoba. These impacts and outcomes are 100% preventable.

    If elected, you can help reduce the burden of commercial tobacco use and youth vaping in Manitoba. I’m calling on your party to make commercial tobacco and youth vaping prevention and reduction a priority this election by making a commitment to:

    • Raise the minimum age of purchase for commercial tobacco and vaping products to age 21.

    • Prohibit the sale of flavoured vaping products, except for tobacco-flavoured products.

    • Implement a compulsory cost recovery mechanism on tobacco manufacturers to fully fund Manitoba’s commercial tobacco and youth vaping prevention and reduction efforts.

    I strongly support the above priorities. If implemented, they could have a significant impact on reducing the burden of commercial tobacco-related disease and death in Manitoba. Please, show your commitment to making commercial tobacco use and youth vaping prevention and reduction a priority by publicly supporting these policy recommendations.

    Thank you.

    (Your name)

  • Follow MANTRA on X (Twitter).

Party Leaders

Progressive Conservative Party

Leader: Heather Stefanson
Email: pcmanitoba@pcmanitoba.com

New Democratic Party of Manitoba

Leader: Wab Kinew
Email: info@mbndp.ca

Manitoba Liberal Party

Leader: Dougald Lamont
Email: executive.director@manitobaliberals.ca