Opinion: Ontario government needs to invest tobacco settlement into smoking and vaping prevention efforts
The goal? To create a healthier Ontario and reduce healthcare costs inflicted by Big Tobacco and vape companies on Ontario’s future generations.
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After decades of harm and millions of lives lost to tobacco, all 10 provincial governments filed lawsuits against the tobacco industry between 2001 and 2015, collectively seeking more than $500 billion in damages for tobacco-related healthcare costs in the largest lawsuit in Canadian history. And yet, despite the magnitude of this decision, one question looms large—why has Ontario been silent on its plans for this money?
Ontario should pledge to invest settlement funds in tobacco and vape control initiatives and preventative measures. However, the Ontario government has not said a word—even with perfect opportunities like the release of the 2025 provincial budget and World No Tobacco Day (May 31), a day when governments often pledge their commitment to address tobacco use and vaping.
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Heart & Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society and Canadian Lung Association have been clear in their call: Ontario’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, and Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, ought to direct funding from the tobacco settlement into targeted cessation, prevention, and other tobacco control efforts. The goal? To create a healthier Ontario and reduce healthcare costs inflicted by Big Tobacco and vape companies on Ontario’s future generations.
Investing just six percent of the approximate $7.3 billion into tobacco and nicotine control would double the current Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy budget to $88 million a year for 10 years and put the province on track to meet the goal of five per cent tobacco use by 2035. This is warranted given Ontario’s reduction in smoking rates, currently at 11 per cent, have slowed compared to other provinces, and youth vaping rates remain high with those in grades 10-12 at 21.5 per cent, and grades 7-9 at 8.5 per cent. Vaping rates among the younger age group have risen each year, a trend unique to Ontario.
The purpose of the provincial lawsuits was to hold the tobacco industry accountable for decades of wrongdoing, deception, and healthcare system burden. Since 2000, cigarettes have killed more than one million people in Canada and remain the leading cause of premature death. Canadians are devastated by the death and suffering of their loved ones, many of whom began smoking at a time when tobacco companies deliberately hid evidence on the health consequences of their products. Taxpayers are frustrated that they’ve been footing the healthcare bill, while the tobacco industry continues to profit from the sales of traditional cigarettes and new nicotine products such as vapes that can continue the cycle of addiction and poor health starting in youth.
Tobacco control initiatives are highly effective with a return on investment of 20:1. By re-committing six per cent ($44 million) in settlement funds to the Smoke Free Ontario strategy, giving it an expanded budget of $88 million, the Ontario government could have an impact in five key areas:
- Increased funding for enforcement officers and compliance programs. According to data compiled and analyzed by the Tobacco Control Area Networks, 32 per cent of vape stores sampled in the province were non-compliant with policies last year. Sales to minors and failure to check age were the most common offences.
- Expanded funding for cessation programs including universal coverage of nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, and counselling which, when combined, is the gold-standard for quitting.
- New funding for mass public awareness campaigns, education and prevention programs. Young people are often unaware of how harmful and addictive vaping can be until they’ve already started. Vaping can harm brain development in young people and is linked to addiction, lung and vascular issues.
- Increased funding for vape and tobacco research, monitoring, policy development, and evaluation.
- Additional funding for Indigenous-led initiatives to address commercial tobacco use.
It’s critical that the government seize this historic opportunity to address the wrongs of the past and ensure future generations do not inherit the same public health crisis we did. Let’s invest in health, awareness, and enforcement—before it’s too late.
Dr. Lesley James is the director of Health Policy and Systems and the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Sarah Butson is the CEO of the Canadian Lung Association, and Hillary Buchan-Terrell is the manager of Advocacy at the Canadian Cancer Society.
