NU Government: Public consultation on tobacco and vaping regulations

The Government of Nunavut is holding public consultations in several Nunavut communities in February 2020 to get feedback on proposed changes to the Tobacco Control and Smoke-Free Places Act.

Seventy-four percent of Nunavummiut over 16 years old use tobacco, which is more than four times the Canadian rate of eighteen percent. The high rate of tobacco use has significant negative effects on the health of all Nunavummiut, whether or not they use tobacco. The proposed changes intend to lower the tobacco use rates and improve the health of Nunavummiut.

Public meetings are taking place in:

• Gjoa Haven, February 11, 7-9 p.m. at the Community Hall.
• Taloyoak, February 12, 7-9 p.m. at the Community Hall.
• Chesterfield Inlet, February 25, 7-9 p.m. at the Community Hall.
• Qikiqtarjuaq, February 27, 7-9 p.m. at the Community Hall.
• Iqaluit, date, place, and time to be determined.

The GN will also be visiting Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet for targeted stakeholder meetings on these proposed amendments. If your community is not being visited, you can still provide feedback. Comment cards are available at all health centres and government liaison offices, or you can e-mail your comments to Robert Jones, Tobacco Control Analyst, at rjones1@gov.nu.ca.

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Media Contact:
Chris Puglia
Communications Specialist
Department of Health
867-975-5762
cpuglia@gov.nu.ca