Ontario budget: Canadian Cancer Society pleased with some measures and looks to further government action on prevention and help for patients

TORONTO, March 27, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased with the Ontario government's commitment to cancer prevention through increased enforcement to control illegal contraband tobacco, an expansion of screening programs and a goal to reduce childhood obesity and is looking to further action on indoor tanning, cancer drug shortages and environmental exposure.

"Despite concerns about austerity, the Ontario government is putting kids first when it comes to tobacco control," says Joanne Di Nardo, Senior Manager, Public Issues, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "These measures will help keep Ontario children safer from tobacco industry products designed to turn them into long-term addicts to tobacco."

In its budget today, the Ontario government said it will increase fines for those who sell tobacco to children and double enforcement efforts to address illegal tobacco.

The Society also welcomes the government's proposed strategy to reduce childhood obesity by 20% over five years as well as the expansion of comprehensive screening programs for cervical, breast and colorectal cancer.

The government's budget commitment to cancer prevention will not only help save lives but also save health care costs now and in the future.

However, the Society will continue to advocate for measures that will:

• protect youth under the age of 18 from indoor tanning and the marketing and promotion that goes along with it
  
  
• improve access to cancer drugs by ensuring that all drugs recommended by Cancer Care Ontario's clinical guidelines are added to the provincial drug formulary
  
  
• protect Ontarians from environmental and occupational exposures to toxics.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

Media contact: Christine Koserski, Public Affairs, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division: [phone]; [email protected]