Fredericton, NB December 12, 2024
Provincial Lung Health Charity NB Lung urges province to use settlement pay-outs solely to combat lung disease following today’s historic creditors vote.
NB Lung recognizes the successful outcome of today’s $32.5 billion dollar ‘Big Tobacco’ settlement compensation plan vote. But the impact on the millions living with lung disease depends on how these funds are allocated.
“This settlement is a first step in repairing some of the harms caused by commercial tobacco,” said Melanie Langille, President and CEO of NB Lung. “We are calling on the provincial government to use the momentum from this settlement to create transformative change through investment in lung health. While the decision is a landmark, it is up to the province to determine the actions needed in our province to change the landscape of lung health which has historically been overlooked and underfunded for the past century”.
A Missed Opportunity
“The settlement’s vagueness is not just disappointing — it misses a vital chance to improve the lives of the one in five Canadians who struggle to breathe,” says Langille.
“New Brunswick now has a rare chance to redress decades of harm caused by commercial tobacco. These funds must be directed toward programs and resources that transform lung health outcomes – not on unrelated initiatives,” she urges.
As the settlement is deliberated, Langille says NB Lung will remain optimistic that legislators will do right by the lung health of Canadians past, present and future. “New Brunswick can be a hero in this settlement if they use the funds wisely.”
The High Cost of Nicotine Addiction
Tobacco-related illnesses cost Canadians $12 billion annually, with New Brunswick spending an estimated $308 million in 2020 alone. This staggering financial burden underscores the need for immediate and focused investment in lung health. This doesn’t include the emotional toll on families or lives lost.
Despite this, the $24.7 billion earmarked for provinces in the settlement comes with no mandate for cessation programs, addiction and mental health supports or preventive measures. “Invested wisely in programs to help Canadians quit smoking or vaping — or prevent them from starting, even a fraction of this settlement could have a massive positive impact in our province.
What’s Missing?
While the settlement also provides financial restitution to class-action claimants and allocates funds to a vaguely defined research foundation, it lacks critical measures for:
- Comprehensive screening programs for diseases like lung cancer and COPD to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
- Adequate supports to prevent Canadian youth from starting smoking, vaping and other nicotine products.
- Adequate cessation supports for Canadians trying to quit smoking and other nicotine products.
- Adequate treatment and supports for Canadians living with lung health conditions caused by smoking.
A Call to Action
“New Brunswick must rise to the occasion and allocate these funds where they are needed most: prevention, education, and treatment programs that improve lung health for New Brunswickers,” says Melanie
About NB Lung
NB Lung is your provincial lung health charity that, since 1933, has tirelessly advocated for lung health and delivered patient support, public education, and advocacy to create meaningful change that helps New Brunswickers breathe easier.
NB Lung is a member of the National Lung Health Alliance, Canada’s leading advocacy network for lung health. Led by the Lung Health Foundation, the alliance includes several organizations: BC Lung Foundation, Alberta Lung, LungSask, Association Pulmonaire du Quebec, NB Lung, LungNSPEI, Lung Cancer Canada, Asthma Canada and COPD Canada.
NLHA Mission
National Lung Health Alliance member organizations are currently working together to advance specific asks at the federal level based on collective decision making. Its mission focuses on three key areas: Youth vaping: Advocating for a Smoke-Free Generation; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Improving diagnostics and support; and Air quality: Reducing radon exposure and promoting healthier homes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact: Melanie Langille
President & CEO, NB Lung
Phone: 506-304-5115
Email: melanie.langille@nblung.ca
Letter to Susan Holt
“On behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Medical Society and NB Lung, we are writing regarding the proposed tobacco lawsuit settlement that was released on October 17, 2024…”