The provinces of Ontario and Quebec have made another move in the fight against smoking by banning the display of tobacco products where they are sold, especially in convenience stores. Beginning Saturday, May 31, 2008, all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and pipe tobacco, must be hidden from view, eliminating the "power walls" of cigarette packages behind the counter in corner stores.

Removing the visual stimulus of cigarette packages placed near candy and gum is intended to discourage young people from starting to smoke. It also removes a trigger for impulse cigarette buying for people who have quit smoking or who are trying to quit.

Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan already have similar bans in place.

More on Smoking in Canada
Cigarette Package Labelling in Canada - Health Canada
Graphic Health Warnings on Cigarettes in Canada - Health Canada
Quit Smoking in Canada
Bringing Tobacco Into Canada
Legal Smoking Age in Canada