British Columbia is the sole Canadian province still allowing pharmacies to sell cigarettes, a policy that anti‑smoking activist Leo Levasseur has been contesting for over a decade. The issue resurfaced in the provincial legislature when Green MLA Rob Botterell raised it during question period, prompting Health Minister Josie Osborne to defend the status quo.

Leo Levasseur’s Personal Drive Behind the Campaign

Levasseur, who lost his father and two other relatives to smoking‑related illnesses, argues that it is contradictory for publicly funded pharmacies to dispense the very product they are paid to help people quit. "Empty words" is how he described the minister’s response, emphasizing that the province’s commitment to reducing tobacco harm is undermined by the continued retail of cigarettes in drugstores.. according to the source, Levasseur has been pressing the government for more than ten years, and he says the fight is now “his cause.”

Health Minister Josie Osborne Cites Low Smoking Rate as Defense

Osborne pointed to the 2022 Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey, which shows BC’s smoking prevalence at 8.7 %—the lowest in Canada compared with a national average of 10.9 %. She argued that pharmacies are essential venues for delivering cessation aids and counseling,and that keeping cigarettes on the shelves creates “critical moments” for pharmacists to intervene. The minister also highlighted recent legal settlements against tobacco companies, noting that the funds have been redirected into healthcare programs.

Pharmacy Chains’ Stance: London Drugs vs. Shoppers Drug Mart

London Drugs remains the only major chain still selling tobacco in BC, claiming that the presence of cigarettes allows pharmacists to engage smokers directly at the point of purchase. In contrast, Loblaw’s Shoppers Drug Mart stopped selling cigarettes more than five years ago, and Rexall has not responded to media inquiries.. The source notes that the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia once tried to ban tobacco sales outright, but the proposal was dropped after strong opposition from large pharmacy chains who argued the college exceeded its authority.

Historical Context: From Ontario’s 1994 Ban to Manitoba’s 2013 Shift

Ontario led the nation by banning tobacco sales in pharmacies in 1994, and every other province and territory followed suit, with Manitoba being the last holdout until 2013. british Columbia’s continued exemption therefore stands out as an outlier in a country that has steadily moved toward separating tobacco retail from health‑care environments. As the source reports, the province’s unique position fuels a broader debate about whether public health policy can coexist with commercial interests within the same retail space.

Unanswered Questions: Will the College Re‑Engage or Will Chains Yield?

The College of Pharmacists has expressed willingness to work with the government on new regulations , but it remains unclear whether the provincial health ministry will initiate formal changes . Additionally , it is uncertain if other pharmacy chains will follow London Drugs’ lead or if market pressure will eventually force a province‑wide ban. The source does not provide any timeline or concrete commitment from either side.