Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

The Lung Association's Christmas Seal Campaign

December 2011

Close to six million Canadians of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds live with a lung disease. These can include lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-also known as COPD-- tuberculosis, pneumonia, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, and influenza.

The Lung Association's December, Christmas Seal Campaign helps increase lung-health awareness and raises funds for research, programs, and services that are essential to improving the quality of life of those living with respiratory illness.

The Government of Canada is also working to improve respiratory health and, for many years, has collaborated with the Lung Association and other stakeholders on various respiratory diseases and related, lung-health issues.

In 2006, we developed the National Lung Health Framework, a strategic action plan to help Canadians keep their lungs healthy and lower their risk of developing lung disease. In 2009, we committed $10 million to support this Framework and to improve awareness of prevention, early detection, and management of lung disease.

Many lung diseases are preventable, including lung cancer and COPD, and the most effective way of preventing chronic respiratory diseases is to avoid smoking tobacco. The Government of Canada supports a range of projects aimed at helping people stop smoking, preventing youth from starting to smoke, and protecting Canadians from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Recently, we announced new labelling requirements for cigarette and little cigar packages, which aim to increase awareness of the health benefits of quitting smoking. Each new health-warning message includes a toll-free quitline number and a Web address to link smokers with cessation services in their region. Health messages inside the packs also provide information on the benefits of quitting, the quitting process, and cessation tools.

During this year's Christmas Seal campaign, I urge Canadians to learn how to recognize lung diseases, and to reduce their risk of developing one by playing an active role in better managing their lung health.

I commend the Lung Association on its dedication to fighting lung disease. Together, our efforts are contributing to the health and wellness of all Canadians.

For more information on the importance of respiratory health, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website or, for details on the new labels for cigarettes and little cigars, review Health Canada's Tobacco Product Labelling Web page.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada