REVISED / Statement from minister on tobacco court case resolution

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was issued by Health Minister John Dornan:

Today I am pleased to announce a resolution of our effort to recover money for our health-care system from the tobacco companies that have sold cigarettes in Canada. New Brunswick was instrumental in launching this litigation nearly 20 years ago, and we are pleased to see this historic decision today.

Here in New Brunswick, we will receive an estimated total of $614 million, with approximately $147 million up front and the remainder over time.

Adult smoking rates in our province have declined substantially from 26 per cent in 2000 to 13 per cent today. Youth smoking rates have also declined, from 14 per cent in 2018-19 to 6.6 per cent today. Our objective is to reach zero per cent, to help protect the health of New Brunswickers for the future.