The Canadian Cancer Society and other health advocates say a proposed settlement that may see tobacco companies pay out billions of dollars would do little to prevent future generations from becoming addicted to smoking.
A proposed $32.5-billion deal filed in an Ontario court would see three companies — JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. — financially compensate provinces and territories as well as some smokers and their families.
Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst and lawyer at the Canadian Cancer Society, says that while the settlement is a good first step, it fails to support public-health measures that would change the fact that tobacco is the leading cause of death in Canada.
The settlement includes $1 billion for research into tobacco-related diseases, but Cunningham says it should be modified to also …