Ontario Unites to Tackle Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction

TORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Ontario's healthcare stakeholders have come together to tackle the persistent issue of tobacco and nicotine addiction, aiming to reduce the use of these substances to below 5% by 2035 and 2045, respectively. The initiative, led by the Lung Health Foundation (LHF), brings together a diverse group of partners to create a unified approach to achieving these goals.

This plan is designed to align efforts and close gaps in the current approach to tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation.

Dr. Jessica Moffatt, Co-Chair of the Ontario Nicotine Action Table, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "The Action Plan is not just a blueprint; it's a movement and a turning point for tobacco and nicotine prevention in Ontario. Building on decades of progress, ONAT brings partners together around a shared vision and commitment to drive momentum, reduce disparities, and create lasting impact."

The plan aims to achieve Canada's Tobacco Endgame target by reducing tobacco use to below 5% by 2035 and reducing nicotine use to below 5% across all age groups by 2045. This ambitious target requires sustained collaboration at all levels, shared accountability, and a strong focus on equity.

The Ontario Nicotine Action Table includes influential partners such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Heart & Stroke, Canadian Cancer Society, Behavioural Supports Ontario, Black Health Alliance, Canadian Cardiovascular Society, Canadian Lung Association, Ontario Pharmacists Association, Ottawa Heart Institute, Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, and Public Health Ontario.

Despite decades of progress, nicotine remains a significant driver of illness and rising healthcare costs in Ontario. Among Ontarians aged 35 and older, smoking accounts for 17% of all deaths, 8.7% of hospitalizations, and 3.4% of emergency department visits, equating to 16,673 deaths and more than 250,000 acute care encounters. Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and contributes to an estimated $7 billion in annual healthcare spending.

The Action Plan introduces a 20-year framework designed to align partners while allowing for flexible, locally driven solutions. Developed through extensive consultation and consensus-building, the plan identifies system gaps and scalable interventions. It is intended to guide investment, strengthen collaboration, and modernize how prevention and cessation services are delivered across the province.

Erin Dufour, a health strategy and population health leader and author of The Action Plan, explained, "This plan is designed to turn shared goals into measurable action. It acknowledges the changing nicotine landscape, creates a roadmap for sustained progress, and provides a practical framework for organizations across Ontario to work together on stronger integration with a focus on prevention, cessation, and long-term results across sectors."

The plan focuses on preventing nicotine addiction before it starts and helping people who currently smoke to quit for good. Key activities include embedding prevention across healthcare, education, and community settings, expanding equitable access to cessation support, making personalized, evidence-based interventions available to all who need it, supporting community-led solutions, strengthening data systems and accountability, and advancing policy and regulatory change.

The launch of The Action Plan signals a coordinated shift in how the province approaches tobacco and nicotine use. With long-term commitment and investment, Ontario aims to lead in reducing nicotine dependence, making prevention standard, and ensuring cessation support is widely accessible. The groundwork is in place, and the next phase is execution.