a) At this time Health Canada's priority is to fill the gap in the federal tobacco control strategy resulting from the Supreme Court ruling. With respect to plain packaging, Health Canada is evaluating the international trade, legal and economic issues surrounding this possible legislative measure.
b) Health Canada commissioned an Expert Panel to conduct a series of studies on plain packaging. The Expert Panel released its report entitled, When Packages Can't Speak: Possible impacts of plain and generic packaging of tobacco products, in March 1995. These studies with other published research on plain packaging are being evaluated.
c) Packaging is an important element of the marketing strategies of the tobacco companies. Measures have been proposed in the Blueprint to control aspects of packaging. Legislative options regarding the control of packaging are being considered.
Question No. 41-