Ontario Healthcare Stakeholders Unite on Shared Action Plan to Reduce Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Ontario Healthcare Stakeholders Unite on Shared Action Plan to Reduce Tobacco and Nicotine DependenceAuthor of the article:Vanguard healthcare, policy, and community stakeholders consolidate as newly formed Ontario Nicotine Action Table (ONAT) to build long-term plan for coordinated actionTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTORONTO, Sept. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A broad group of healthcare stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations have united to tackle one of Ontario’s most persistent and preventable public health challenges: tobacco and nicotine addiction.Convened by Lung Health Foundation (LHF), the Ontario Nicotine Action Table (ONAT) brings together influential partners from across the province to align efforts, close gaps, and accelerate progress on tobacco and nicotine prevention and cessation through The Ontario Stakeholder’s Nicotine Action Plan (“The Action Plan”), which defines a unified approach to achieving Canada’s Tobacco Endgame target of reducing tobacco use to below 5% by 2035, while working toward reducing nicotine use to below 5% across all age groups by 2045.The initiative marks a shift from siloed approaches toward a coordinated, stakeholder-led response.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe Action Plan “is not just a blueprint,” says Dr. Jessica Moffatt, Co-Chair of the Ontario Nicotine Action Table. “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.”“No single organization can achieve this alone,” stresses Dr. Peter Selby, Co-Chair of the Ontario Nicotine Action Table. “Reaching the Tobacco Endgame target by 2035 and continuing toward our 2045 vision will require sustained collaboration at all levels, shared accountability, and a strong focus on equity.”“Ontario has made real progress on tobacco control, but the changing nicotine landscape, from vaping to other emerging products, means our work is far from over,” says Jessica Buckley, President and CEO of Lung Health Foundation. “Ontario has an opportunity to build on the successes we’ve achieved while responding to new challenges facing communities, healthcare providers, and families across the province.”A Persistent, Changing CrisisDespite decades of progress, nicotine remains a 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, and a heavy economic burden. Progress toward the federal 5% smoking target is uneven across provinces, and Ontario is unlikely to reach it by 2035 without coordinated action.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.While cigarette smoking continues to decline, emerging nicotine products are changing patterns of nicotine use. Ontario’s challenge is no longer limited to tobacco alone. At the same time, vaping has rapidly reshaped the landscape — particularly among youth and young adults.Without coordinated action, experts warn that progress could stall, or reverse.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.“This plan is designed to turn shared goals into measurable action,” says health strategy and population health leader Erin Dufour, a member of the Ontario Nicotine Action Table and author of The Action Plan. “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.”At the center of The Action Plan is a two-stage vision for Ontario’s future:Achieve Canada’s Tobacco Endgame target by reducing tobacco use to below 5% by 2035Build on that progress by reducing nicotine use to below 5% across all age groups by 2045To get there, partners will focus on preventing nicotine addiction before it starts and helping people who currently smoke to quit for good through the following interconnected activities:Embedding prevention across healthcare, education, and community settingsExpanding equitable access to cessation supportMaking personalized, evidence-based interventions available to all who need itSupporting community-led solutionsStrengthening data systems and accountabilityAdvancing policy and regulatory changeThe 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, cessation support widely accessible, and fewer lives impacted by addiction and disease.The groundwork is in place. The next phase is execution.For further information or to arrange interviews:CONTACT:Rob BaileyEmail: rbailey@brandstandpr.comPhone: 201-819-1134Margo RapportEmail: margo@margorapport.comPhone: 416-895-5672Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.