The Canadian Cancer Society says the proposed settlement, which could cost tobacco companies billions of dollars, will do little to prevent future generations from becoming addicted to cigarettes.

More details are expected from the $32.5 billion settlement filed in an Ontario court. The agreement requires major tobacco companies to pay financial damages to provinces, territories, some smokers and their families.

Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst and lawyer at the Canadian Cancer Society, said the agreement is an important step, but it fails to support public health measures to prevent tobacco from remaining the leading cause of death in Canada.

Jessica Buckley, president of the Lung Health Foundation, emphasized that financial compensation cannot replace the lives lost to tobacco use, which kills 46,000 Canadians each year.



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