Canadian Thoracic Society Calls for Lung Health Investment Following Tobacco Settlement
The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS), in collaboration with other lung health partners across the country, acknowledges the landmark 2025 federal tobacco settlement with major tobacco companies, requiring $32.5 billion in compensation for the harm caused by tobacco products. This historic agreement represents a unique opportunity to strengthen tobacco and vaping control initiatives, smoking cessation programs and lung health prevention efforts across Canada.
The harms from commercial tobacco are clear, pervasive and longstanding. While Canada has made significant progress in reducing smoking prevalence – from 50% of adults in 1965 to 12% of adults in 2022 – tobacco and vaping continue to threaten the respiratory health of Canadians, particularly youth and young adults. Vaping products, often promoted by commercial tobacco companies, pose new challenges that must be addressed through proactive public health measures.
Provinces will collectively receive $24 billion over the next 20 years, with an upfront payment of $6.3 billion. These funds have the potential to save lives and reduce future health care costs, yet there are currently no restrictions on their use. We call on provincial governments to invest a meaningful portion of these funds in:
- Comprehensive tobacco and vaping prevention and cessation programs,
- Public awareness campaigns and policy initiatives that are targeting youth and vulnerable populations to reduce acute and long-term harms from tobacco and nicotine use and,
- Lung health research and patient support initiatives addressing conditions such as COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer and other chronic diseases associated with tobacco use.
About the Canadian Thoracic Society
The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) is Canada’s national specialty society for respirology that brings together specialists, researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals working in respiratory, critical care, and sleep medicine. The CTS advances lung health by enhancing the ability of healthcare professionals through leadership, collaboration, research, learning, and advocacy, and providing the best respiratory practices in Canada.
