Canada: Public Health Association Backs NLMA Call for Tobacco Cessation Funding

Source from:  The Telegram‎  11/16/2012

The Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health Association (NLPHA) has joined the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) in calling on the provincial government to fund tobacco cessation medications and nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) for low-income residents.

The NLMA has asked that these medications and therapies be included in the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program. 

We agree that to further reduce smoking rates and decrease the health and economic burden of tobacco- related disease in this province we need to focus on expanding cessation strategies.

"We believe that by making cessation therapies more accessible for people living with low income we will not only see a reduction in tobacco use and prevent the onset of preventable tobacco-related diseases, but we will also save our province's health system millions of dollars," the NLPHA said in a news release.

Dr. Minnie Wasmeier, spokeswoman for the NLPHA, said the association acknowledges the significant investments the provincial government has made, through its Poverty Reduction Strategy, in expanding drug coverage for residents living on low incomes

"Adding coverage of tobacco cessation medications and NRTs would remove a major financial barrier for individuals who are ready to quit smoking and find the cost of these highly successful pharmacological therapies unaffordable," Wasmeier said.

The NLPHA says the relationship between chronic disease and low income is well documented. In comparison to other groups, people living with low income experience double the rates of disease for many chronic conditions.

"Chronic disease is the single biggest threat to the health of our population and to the sustainability of the health system and we have some of the highest rates of heart disease and stroke in Canada," said Wasmeier. "Not surprisingly, we also have one of the highest rates of smoking which is a known contributing factor to these diseases. We need to do everything we can to level the playing field so all residents of the province have the best chance to be healthy."

The NLPHA is a voluntary, non-profit provincial association, comprised of health professionals, community members, and affiliated organizations with the objecting of promoting and supporting public health. The association is also affiliated with the Canadian Public Health Association. Enditem