Settlement Funds Could Transform Tobacco Control in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, May 29, 2025 — As World No Tobacco Day approaches on May 31, Lung Saskatchewan is encouraging continued progress on reducing tobacco-related harm in the province. With funds from the forthcoming federal tobacco settlement expected to reach Saskatchewan in the coming months, the organization welcomes the opportunity to work with provincial leaders on a renewed tobacco control strategy and the responsible investment of Saskatchewan’s $712 million share of the national settlement. 

“This is a historic moment,” says Erin Kuan, President & CEO of Lung Saskatchewan. “These settlement funds come with the heavy burden of lives lost and forever compromised by tobacco, yet they give us a rare chance to begin righting those harms and to build a healthier future for Saskatchewan through strong, upstream solutions.” 

Lung Saskatchewan notes that the province’s tobacco strategy has not been updated since 2010 and is optimistic that the Government of Saskatchewan will lead the development of a modern, evidence-based plan in partnership with lung health stakeholders. “We look forward to being an active partner in that work,” Kuan adds. Lung Saskatchewan is also celebrating the success of its 2024/25 Sask Quits Smoking Challenge. More than 550 participants joined the 12-week initiative, which provided educational resources, peer support, and prizes to support quit attempts. The Saskatchewan Quits Facebook support group now connects 872 people across the province. 

New Resource to Support Quitting Smoking 
To help even more people quit, Lung Saskatchewan has collaborated with provincial stakeholders in tobacco cessation and control to develop a database of resources and programs for quitting smoking. The database is now live at https://SaskQuitNow.ca and offers a simple way for Saskatchewan residents to find reliable, evidence-based quit-smoking resources tailored to their needs. 

Key features of the Smoking Cessation Database include: 

• Filters by audience (e.g., youth, Indigenous, pregnant people), resource type, and cost 

• Location-based search, including postal code 

• Regular updates managed by Lung Sask staff and partners 

• Automated checks to ensure content stays current 

Year-Round Help Is Available 
Lung Saskatchewan also reminds the public that quitting support is available year-round. Pharmacists across the province can recommend, prescribe, and guide individuals through medications and nicotine replacement therapies. For more information, visit www.saskquits.ca or speak with your local pharmacist. 

“The time is now to prioritize prevention, cessation, and long-term lung health across Saskatchewan,” adds Kuan. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to support people in living smoke-free.”