Heart & Stroke also applauds federal
government's pharmacare funding pledge and vape tax
hike
OTTAWA,
ON, April 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Heart & Stroke
is thrilled the 2024 Federal Budget includes funding for a
Canada-wide school nutrition
program that will support an estimated 400,000 kids annually by
providing a nutritious meal at school.
"We congratulate the federal government for taking children's
health to heart," says Doug Roth,
Heart & Stroke CEO. "This will make a positive difference in
the lives of so many kids in Canada, improving their learning and mental
health and reducing their risk of developing chronic disease,
including heart disease and stroke. We look forward to supporting
the federal government on the September
2024 implementation of the program."
The Liberal government first committed to developing a National
School Food Policy in its 2021 election platform. Many families
face challenges in providing healthy meals for a variety of
reasons, including affordability and parents working long hours.
Initiatives like the school food program can address those
gaps.
The school food program is one of several important health
measures in the 2024 budget.
In February, the federal government announced the first step
toward national pharmacare. The budget backed up that pledge with
$1.5 billion over five years for the
program. The program will cover prescription drugs for diabetes and
contraception. Heart & Stroke is asking the federal government
to work quickly to expand the program in a fiscally prudent way by
adding key essential medicines, including prescription drugs for
heart conditions and stroke.
The budget also included a 12% vape tax hike that will take
effect on July 1 to help lower vaping
rates among youth. Since the introduction of vaping in Canada, vaping skyrocketed among youth and
young adults, with one in four Grade 10 to 12 students identifying
as vapers.
Heart & Stroke is pleased to see a tobacco tax increase this
year, a key component of the federal Tobacco Control Strategy,
which commits to driving down tobacco use to less than 5% of the
population in Canada by 2035. The
budget increases tobacco taxes by $4.00 per carton of 200 cigarettes as of midnight
April 17.
About Heart & Stroke
Life. We don't want you to
miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight
to beat heart disease and stroke for more than 70 years. We must
generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don't miss
out on precious moments. Together, with the generous support of our
donors, partners, and volunteers, we are working to prevent
disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health
promotion and public
policy. Heartandstroke.ca @heartandstroke
SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation