November is Lung Month at LungNSPEI, and each year, we use this time to bring awareness to the importance of keeping our lungs healthy. As we engage Nova Scotians and Islanders in events and campaigns, one issue continues to be at the forefront: tobacco. For decades, it has been the single greatest cause of lung disease, and despite the progress we’ve made in reducing smoking rates, tobacco-related harm continues to exact a devastating toll on individuals, families, and our healthcare system.
The progress in tobacco cessation is worth celebrating. Canada has made strides in reducing smoking rates, and more people today understand the risks of smoking. However, the unfortunate reality is that many current smokers became addicted at a young age, some as early as their teens. In recent years, tobacco companies have sought to create a new generation of nicotine users through products like vaping devices and nicotine pouches. These products, marketed as “safer” alternatives, pose uncertain risks. We still lack a complete understanding of vaping’s long-term effects, but what we do know is cause for concern. The only thing we should be breathing into our lungs is clean, maritime air.
The recent proposed lawsuit settlement with tobacco companies is a positive step. This settlement aims to acknowledge and compensate Canadians for the harms inflicted by tobacco addiction. But we can—and should—go further. With a policy like “Smoke-Free Generations,” Canada has the chance to create a future where each generation is less likely to fall prey to the traps of nicotine addiction. This policy would look to increase the legal age to buy tobacco products each year. Imagine a world where, in the future, someone at age 93 could still be "too young" to buy cigarettes—this could be a reality. This small, sensible change today could shift the culture of smoking, keeping our children and grandchildren safe from the consequences of addiction.
Our healthcare system is strained, and it’s no secret why. Lung disease, much of it tobacco-related, is a significant contributor. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the second leading cause of hospitalization in Canada. The resources we put into treating tobacco-related illnesses come at a high cost—costs that could be greatly reduced through prevention. Every time we speak with healthcare professionals—from respiratory therapists to respirologists, doctors, and nurses—they tell us the single most powerful way to ease the burden on our healthcare system is simple: help people quit tobacco.
For those of us at LungNSPEI, these facts aren’t just numbers. Every day, we hear stories of individuals and families struggling with the effects of tobacco use. It’s these stories, along with my personal experience, that fuel my commitment to this work. My own father passed away from lung cancer at age 61 after smoking for 30 years. I saw firsthand the toll it took, watching his despair and fear as he faced his diagnosis, knowing there was no going back. I know I’m not alone in this experience. Countless families have lost loved ones to tobacco, and while we can’t save every family from this heartache, we must do everything in our power to help as many as we can avoid this pain.
We stand at a pivotal moment where we can change the future. If we support and enact policies like Smoke-Free Generations, we can help ensure that fewer families go through what mine did. We can lessen the strain on our healthcare system, create healthier communities, and give our young people the opportunity to grow up free from the grip of nicotine addiction. This Lung Month, let’s come together to protect our lungs, our families, and our future. Let’s commit to a smoke-free Canada for generations to come.
Robert MacDonald
President & CEO, LungNSPEI
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