January 21,2026
RED FM News Desk
A major tobacco manufacturer has launched a legal challenge against the federal government over a new fee designed to fund Canada’s tobacco control strategy.
Beginning this fall, Ottawa plans to collect payments from tobacco companies to cover the costs of enforcement, regulatory compliance, and smoking cessation programs. JTI-Macdonald Corporation argues in Federal Court that the tobacco recovery fee is unconstitutional and effectively functions as an unlimited tax.
Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, says the lawsuit reflects long-standing tactics used by the tobacco industry to push back against public health measures.
Health Canada says the federal government plans to vigorously defend the law.
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