NDP Health Critic France Gélinas, thrilled that MPPs from all political parties voted in support of her bill to ban the sale of flavoured cigarillo tobacco products, is now calling on the Liberal government to act swiftly to pass the bill.

“It’s great that MPPs from all sides of the Legislature have come together to stand up for the health of our children. But for the bill to become a reality, the Liberal government needs to quit blowing smoke. It’s now up to the government to make sure the bill gets through the committee process and comes back to the Legislature for final passage in a timely fashion,” said Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt.

Bill 124, which would ban the sale of flavoured and individually-sold cigarillos that are targeted to children, passed Second Reading today in the Legislature and has been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.

“The Minister of Health Promotion talked a good game today about her support for my bill. The ball is now squarely in her court. I know that I won’t be the only one keeping a careful watch on what the government does. Anti-smoking advocates will be watching too, and they expect this bill to become the law sooner rather than later,” said Gélinas.