Canadian Cancer Society welcomes Ontario government's commitment to cancer care and prevention

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - As an organization dedicated to prevention and enhancing the quality of life of those with cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society welcomes the Ontario government's commitments to increase investments in cancer care and smoking cessation programs outlined in today's budget.

With Canada's aging and growing population poised to drive up the number of cancer cases by 40 per cent within 15 years, the Society applauds the government's commitment to improving cancer care and providing more options for palliative care.  We also welcome investments in tobacco control.

"As an organization dedicated to tobacco control and helping smokers quit, we applaud the Ontario government's commitment to invest further in smoking cessation programs," says Kelly Gorman, Senior Manager, Public Issues, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division.

"While we are also pleased to see a tobacco tax increase", adds Kelly "we had hoped to see a higher increase as we know higher tobacco taxes are the single most effective strategy to reduce smoking, especially among youth."

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. Each year there are 13,000 tobacco-related deaths in Ontario. The Society feels the $3 per carton increase in tobacco taxes, followed by annual increases matching inflation over the next 5 years, falls short and leaves Ontario's tobacco taxes well below the average among other provinces

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (Ontario Division)

Susan Fekete, Communications Specialist, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division, 613-723-1744 ext 3616, [email protected]