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Tobacco taxes put money where the mouth is, says Canadian Dental Association

Click here for a French version of this release.

New tobacco control initiatives announced today by Health Minister Allan Rock, Finance Minister Paul Martin and Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay, were music to the ears of Canadian dentists. "We are really pleased by the multi-faceted approach that government is taking," said CDA president, Dr. Burton Conrod. "It's a comprehensive approach to a complex problem."

The Canadian Dental Association is encouraged by the joint health/finance strategy of both implementing a new tax structure - increases will be made to federal-provincial taxes on cigarettes; two-tiered export taxes will be introduced as a disincentive to smuggling; and the surtax on tobacco manufacturers will be increased -- and channeling new money to programs to protect Canada's youth from the devastation of smoking.

"Dentists see the ravages of tobacco every day in their patient's mouths, and on their overall health" said Dr. Conrod, "CDA has been actively targeting tobacco use for many years and will continue to work with government to find solutions to tobacco-related illness in this country. With these new steps, and if government is prepared to strengthen the program through additional funding over time, we'll have a solid foundation on which to build a wider-reaching program, particularly for youth."

These new initiatives couldn't come at a better time for dentists, and patients - April is Dental Health Month, and this year the theme is "Don't let Smoking Spoil your Smile." To help dentists in their dialogue with patients about the importance of quitting tobacco use, CDA recently distributed a comprehensive, educational package to all Canadian dentists which includes a detailed description of the steps to take to help patients quit, as well as information to give the patient, and a placard to put in the reception area encouraging patients to discuss tobacco use with their dentist. "Helping patients quit smoking is probably the most important thing we can do for their oral and overall health", says Dr. Conrod.

The Canadian Dental Association is the national professional association of Canada's 16,000 dentists. Based in Ottawa, it is the authoritative national voice of dentistry, dedicated to the representation and advancement of the profession, nationally and internationally, and to the achievement of optimal oral health.

Contact: Beth Keeping at 613-523-1770 or bkeeping@cda-adc.ca .

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