SHOW US THE MONEY: Smoke, Vaping, and the Question of Public Health Accountability in BC
Recently, I found myself thinking about something that didn’t sit right with me.
Watching large public events like FIFA celebrations, I saw clouds of coloured smoke filling the air. At the same time, in everyday life here in British Columbia, there are strict rules around smoking, vaping, and cannabis use in public spaces. People are expected to be careful, discreet, and respectful of others’ exposure.
And yet — in one setting, smoke is treated as entertainment. In another, it is treated as a public health concern.
That contradiction is hard to ignore.
Vaping, Youth, and the Next Wave of Addiction
At the same time, we are seeing a growing issue that cannot be brushed aside: youth vaping and nicotine addiction.
Vaping has created a new generation of dependency, often starting at a very young age. Health experts have warned that early nicotine exposure can lead to long-term addiction and lifelong health consequences. Many families are already dealing with the effects — anxiety, dependency, behavioural challenges, and long-term health risks that are still unfolding.
This is not just a personal issue. It is a public health issue.
And it is connected to a much longer history.
The Tobacco Legacy
The tobacco industry has shaped decades of public health outcomes. We now know the damage smoking has caused: cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness, and premature death affecting countless families.
In response, legal action was taken against tobacco companies — and British Columbia, along with other provinces, reached a major settlement.
That settlement is worth approximately $3.6 billion over 18 years for BC alone.
This money was meant to help address the public health burden created by tobacco-related harm.
We Won That Money — So Where Is It?
We won that money. So where is it?
This is the question that keeps coming back.
We are told the funds support “health care” and “public health systems,” but the reality is far less clear. There is no easy public breakdown showing:
- which mental health services are funded by these dollars
- which addiction recovery programs are expanded because of them
- how youth prevention programs are directly supported
- what measurable improvements are being achieved
For billions of dollars tied directly to public health harm, transparency should not be optional.
It should be standard.
People Are Still Suffering
While these funds move through government systems, people in our communities continue to struggle:
- youth facing nicotine addiction and mental health challenges
- families dealing with long-term illness linked to smoking and vaping
- individuals trying to access addiction recovery and mental health support
- communities still feeling the social and health impacts of tobacco-related harm
The need is immediate.
Not theoretical. Not abstract.
Real people, right now.
A Call for Transparency
That is why I have created a petition calling for a BC Tobacco Settlement Transparency Act.
The goal is simple:
If billions of public-health-related dollars are collected, then the public deserves to see clearly:
- where the money goes
- what programs receive it
- how mental health and addiction services are supported
- and what outcomes are actually achieved
This is not about politics.
It is about accountability.
It is about trust.
It is about making sure recovery funds actually reach the people they were meant to help.
SHOW US THE MONEY
If we can trace the harm, we should be able to trace the recovery.
If we can measure the damage, we should be able to measure the healing.
We don’t just need statements.
We need transparency.
We need accountability.
We need action.
Take Action
I’ve launched a petition calling for full public transparency on BC’s tobacco settlement funds:
If this matters to you, please read, sign, and share.
Because public health money should not disappear into silence.
The people deserve to see the results.
Final Thought
We are living in a time where public health is constantly discussed — smoking rules, vaping concerns, addiction crises, mental health challenges.
But none of it makes sense if we cannot clearly see how billions of dollars meant to address these issues are actually being used.
Transparency is not optional.
It is the foundation of trust.
And right now, we need it more than ever.
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