Lung Sask Calls for Action on Tobacco Settlement

Lung Saskatchewan is urging provincial leaders to prioritize lung health in the proposed $32.5 billion settlement with tobacco companies. The settlement, announced last week, has drawn criticism for its lack of funding for smoking prevention and cessation programs, which are crucial for reducing the harm caused by tobacco.

“This is a rare opportunity to re-invest in lung health care, screening, and prevention,” says Erin Kuan, President and CEO of Lung Sask. “We welcome all efforts to collaborate and improve long-term outcomes for Canadians.”

The settlement includes $24.7 billion for provinces and territories, but these funds come with no requirements to address tobacco-related harm. In a Toronto Star article, Jessica Buckley, President and CEO of the Lung Health Foundation, and Christopher Lam, President and CEO of the B.C. Lung Foundation, emphasize that without a mandate, the money may not go to programs that help Canadians quit smoking or prevent addiction.

Similarly, in a media release by the Canadian Cancer Society, Rob Cunningham, lawyer for the Canadian Cancer Society, states that the settlement fails to meet its original goal of curtailing the damages caused by the tobacco industry. He calls for stronger measures, such as funding cessation initiatives and regulating nicotine products more effectively.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in Canada, killing 46,000 Canadians annually. Advocates hope this settlement can be a turning point for lung health, but only if provinces act with purpose and transparency.


Read the opinion article by Jessica Buckley and Christopher Lam: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/massive-tobacco-settlement…

Read the media release by the Canadian Cancer Society: https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/media-releases/2024/tobacco-settlement