Flavoured tobacco products ban vowed by P.E.I. party leaders

All four of Prince Edward Island's provincial party leaders have pledged to ban flavoured tobacco products if they win Monday's provincial election.

The Canadian Cancer Society says it will hold the party elected to its word.

Rob Cunningham is senior policy analyst with the society.

He says flavoured tobacco products, especially menthol-flavoured ones, appeal mostly to children and it's time to follow Nova Scotia's example and take them off the shelves.

"It's essential that this be brought forward as soon as possible in the mandate of the new government," he said.

"P.E.I. historically has been a leader in tobacco control, but P.E.I. has now fallen behind what other provinces have done."

Nova Scotia will pull flavoured tobacco products off shelves at the end of the month.

Cunningham says several other provinces plan to do the same.

"There's an opportunity with a new government, new legislature to bring forward a bill as soon as possible, as strong as possible to protect kids," he said.