(Ottawa) The Canadian Lung Association applauds the increase in tobacco taxes announced in the federal budget.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced an increase of $4.03 per carton of 200 cigarettes.
“This is great news for lung health. Higher tobacco taxes are a highly effective way to reduce smoking, especially among youth,” says Debra Lynkowski, president and CEO of the Canadian Lung Association. “We urge that the federal government to use the new revenue generated from this tax increase to fund more programs and services to help those who smoke to quit and to prevent youth from starting."
Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Canada, killing more than 37,000 Canadians each year. Cigarettes are highly addictive and cause cancer, heart disease and stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other diseases. The overwhelming majority of new smokers are adolescents.
There has not been a net change to federal cigarette tax rates since June 17, 2002.
About The Canadian Lung Association
Established in 1900, The Canadian Lung Association is one of Canada’s oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs, and advocacy on lung health issues.
For further information, national media representatives may contact:
Janis Hass
The Canadian Lung Association
(613) 569-6411, ext. 252
jhass@lung.ca
