Vanguard healthcare, policy, and community stakeholders consolidate as newly formed Ontario Nicotine Action Table (ONAT) to build long-term plan for coordinated action

TORONTO, 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.

The 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.”

Provincial Stakeholders

The Ontario Nicotine Action Table includes: Lung Health Foundation; 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.

“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 Crisis

Despite 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.

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.

A Made-in-Ontario Plan

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.”

A Clear Target

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 2035
  • Build on that progress by reducing nicotine use to below 5% across all age groups by 2045

To 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 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
  • Advancing policy and regulatory change

Looking Ahead

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, 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 Bailey
Email: rbailey@brandstandpr.com
Phone: 201-819-1134

Margo Rapport
Email: margo@margorapport.com
Phone: 416-895-5672