Ross Wiseman said retailers, advocates and members of the public have three weeks to respond to government's wish to ban high-profile displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products. (CBC)

Newfoundland and Labrador's health minister said Monday the government is preparing legislation to ban prominent tobacco displays at convenience stores and other retailers.

Ross Wiseman said even though the government is preparing changes to the Tobacco Control Act, it won't change a word until it hears opinions from the public — including the retailers who have set up so-called "power walls" in their stores.

"Tobacco displays send the message that tobacco is a normal, everyday product. This is clearly not the message we want to send to anyone, especially youth," Wiseman said in a statement.

Wiseman said government was starting consultations Monday with retailers, advocates and others "to gather input on the potential of banning such displays and how that might be accomplished."

Power walls, which have become a prime target of anti-smoking lobbyists, loom behind checkout counters.

In a statement, Wiseman said that studies have shown that children and youth are strongly influenced by tobacco advertising and promotion.

In Ontario, display units now conceal cigarettes and other tobacco products. They were introduced after a ban was imposed this spring. (CBC)

The provincial Department of Health and Community Services launched a questionnaire on its website, available for anyone to complete. Respondents are asked to give their opinions on a range of issues, including placement of advertising to allowing retailers to sell nicotine-replacement products, like patches and gums.

Among other things, respondents are asked to choose whether they would like to see a power wall ban in place by September 2009, January 2010 or at some other time.

Comments are being accepted until Nov. 24.

The government said all other provinces and territories have banned power walls.The government of Ontario banned the displays this spring.

4 changes to act planned

Background information supplied to the public indicates that four major changes are planned to the Tobacco Control Act:

• Banning the display and promotion of tobacco products at retail.
• Regulating the storage of tobacco and tobacco products so they are not visible to the public.
• Expanding the current list of prohibited locations where tobacco products can be sold.
• Restricting signs indicating availability and price of tobacco products both inside and outside the retail location.

The move is the most significant one that the Newfoundland and Labrador government has made on curbing tobacco use since 2005, when it banned smoking inside bars, lounges and bingo halls.