Tobacco flavouring and colouring changes

Summary#

This is a proposed Order Amending Schedule 1 to the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on June 11, 2022 by the Department of Health. It makes small wording and reference changes in Schedule 1 that affect which flavourings and colouring agents are singled out for exclusion or allowance. Interested parties have 75 days to comment.

What it does#

• Changes the wording in item 1 of Schedule 1 from “flavouring agents” to “flavourings”.
• Updates a referenced list/version by replacing GRAS 24 with GRAS 29 in item 1.
  • The order text does not explain what “GRAS” specifically refers to.
• Replaces the text in item 4 to clarify that colouring agents are allowed when they are:
  • used to whiten filters, tipping paper, or the paper covering rolled tobacco; or
  • used to imitate a cork pattern on tipping paper.
• Replaces the text in item 4.3 to clarify additional allowed uses of colouring agents, including:
  • whitening plug wrap paper, filters, or tipping paper;
  • rendering tipping paper or mouthpieces/tips the colour drab brown (Pantone 448 C); or
  • imitating a cork pattern on tipping paper.
• Says the Order would come into force on the day it is registered (no specific date given).
• Notes this is a proposal; submissions are invited to the Tobacco Products Regulatory Office / Tobacco Control Directorate within 75 days of publication.

Who's affected#

• Tobacco manufacturers, importers, and packagers who choose or supply flavourings and colouring agents for products.
• Suppliers of flavourings and colouring agents.
• Compliance and enforcement staff in the Tobacco Products Regulatory Office and the Tobacco Control Directorate at Health Canada.
• Retailers and consumers are less likely to be directly affected, but product appearance (colour of tipping paper, filters, mouthpieces) could change in ways they notice.
• It is not fully clear from the text whether other groups (for example, flavouring standard bodies) are affected.

Why it matters#

• The wording and reference updates are technical but can change which specific flavourings and colourings are treated as allowed or excluded under the law. That affects what manufacturers may use in product appearance and composition.
• Clarifying the allowed uses of colouring agents makes it clearer when a colouring is permitted (for example, to whiten filters or to make tipping paper Pantone 448 C), which affects product design and compliance checks.
• Updating the GRAS reference could shift which flavouring substances are considered acceptable — the order itself does not explain the implications of moving from GRAS 24 to GRAS 29, so interested parties may want to review the referenced lists and consider commenting within the 75-day notice period.