Could You Receive Money from the Tobacco Settlement? Here’s What You Need to Know
A major tobacco settlement has been approved in Canada, which will provide financial compensation to people diagnosed with tobacco-related diseases, including lung cancer, throat cancer, and Emphysema/COPD.
Many people who may be eligible for compensation either don’t know about the settlement, are unsure of how it works, or are unsure if they’re eligible.
This resource will help you understand:
Who qualifies for compensation
How much compensation may be available
What information will be needed when the claims process opens
When payments may be made
Where to find the latest official updates
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with a smoking-related disease, this information is critical in understanding whether or not you’re eligible for compensation.
Note: This information has been sourced from the official Tobacco Claims Canada website. While we will do our best to keep this post updated, the most current details can always be found on the official claims website. To stay informed about the claims process and any new updates, we strongly encourage you to sign up for email or letter mail notifications directly from the official site.
Who Is Eligible to Receive Compensation?
Not everyone who has smoked will qualify for compensation.
To be eligible, you must meet specific criteria based on cigarette brands, the amount smoked, and a diagnosed illness.
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To be eligible, the claimant must meet all criteria below:
(a) On the date that a claimant submits their claim to the PCC Compensation Plan:
if the claimant is alive, they must reside in a Province or Territory in Canada, or
if the claimant is deceased, they must have resided in a Province or Territory in Canada on the date of their death;
(b) The claimant was alive on March 8, 2019;
(c) Between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998, the claimant smoked a minimum of twelve pack-years of cigarettes manufactured by the Applicants;
(d) Between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates) the claimant was diagnosed with:
A primary lung cancer,
Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx or hypopharynx, or
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (GOLD Grades III and IV); and,
(e) On the date of the diagnosis with a PCC Compensable Disease the claimant resided in a Province or Territory in Canada.
Which Cigarette Brands Are Included?
Only certain cigarette brands are covered by this settlement. A claimant must have smoked one or more of the following brands of cigarettes sold by the Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998, to qualify to receive money.
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Accord
Accord KF
Avanti/Light
B&H
B&H 100 Del. UL. LT/MEN
B&H 100 F
B&H 100 F Menthol
B&H Light Menthol
B&H Lights
B&H Special KF
B&H Special Lights KF
Belmont
Belmont KF
Belvedere
Belvedere Extra Mild
Camel
Cameo
Cameo Extra Mild
Craven “A”
Craven “A” Light
Craven “A” Special
Craven “A” Ultra Light/Mild
Craven “M”
Craven “M” KF
Craven “M” Special
du Maurier
du Maurier Extra Light
du Maurier Light
du Maurier Special
du Maurier Ultra Light
Dunhill
Dunhill KF
Export
Export “A”
Export “A” Extra Light
Export “A” Lights
Export “A” Medium
Export “A” Special Edition
Export “A” Ultra Light
Export Mild
Export Plain
John Player’s Special
LD
Macdonald
Macdonald Menthol
Mark Ten
Mark Ten Filter
Matinee
Matinee Extra Mild
Matinee Slims/Menthol
Matinee Special/Menthol
Medallion
More
North American Spirit
Number 7
Number 7 Lights
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson Extra Light KF
Player’s Extra Light
Player’s Filter
Player’s Light
Player’s Medium
Player’s Plain
Players
Rothmans
Rothmans Extra Light
Rothmans KF
Rothmans Light
Rothmans Special
Rothmans UL LT KF
Select Special/Ultra Mild/Menthol
Vantage
Vantage KF
Vantage Light/Menthol
Viscount
Viscount #1 KF
Viscount Extra Mild/Menthol
Winston
How Much Must Someone Have Smoked?
To qualify, a person must have smoked at least 87,600 cigarettes between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998. This is known as “Twelve Pack-Years” of cigarettes.
You can calculate this using this tool: Pack-Years Calculator
If someone has smoked fewer than 87,600 cigarettes during the period of time stated above, they will not be eligible for compensation.
How Much Compensation Is Available to Manitobans?
The amount of money a person could receive depends on two main factors:
The smoking-related illness they have been diagnosed with (including Emphysema/COPD, Lung Cancer, or Throat Cancer).
When they started smoking.
Compensation amounts are outlined in the table below.
Will I Need a Lawyer to Submit a Claim?
No, you do not need a lawyer to submit a claim. Hiring a lawyer may reduce the amount of money you receive because legal fees would be taken out of your compensation. The claims process is expected to be straightforward and can be done without legal representation.
The official Claims Agent will provide free assistance, answering your questions and helping you submit your claim.
Important: The only official source for tobacco settlement claims is Tobacco Claims Canada. No other websites, law firms, or services are authorized to process claims.
The claims process does not require legal guidance, does not require a fee, and cannot begin until the Court approves applications. Be cautious of any services offering claim assistance, as they are not authorized and may reduce the compensation you receive.
What Information Will I Need to Provide?
When the claims process begins, people who qualify will need to submit documents to prove their eligibility.
While exact details are not yet available, claimants will need to provide:
Proof of Diagnosis
A medical record confirming a smoking-related illness will be required. If you do not have these documents on hand, a process is expected to be put in place to help claimants access them.
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A) A copy of a pathology report which confirms that you were diagnosed with Lung Cancer or Throat Cancer between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates); OR
B) a copy of a report of a spirometry test performed on you between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates), that first demonstrated a FEV1 (non-reversible) of less than 50% of the predicted value to first establish a diagnosis of Emphysema/COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates); OR
C) A copy of an extract from your medical file confirming the diagnosis of Lung Cancer, Throat Cancer or Emphysema/COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates); OR
D) A completed Physician Form (which will be available on the Tobacco Claims website); OR
E) A written statement from your Physician, or another physician having access to your medical record, confirming the diagnosis of Lung Cancer or Throat Cancer or Emphysema/COPD (GOLD Grade III or IV) between March 8, 2015 and March 8, 2019 (inclusive of those dates) and providing at least one of the required records to verify the diagnosis and date of diagnosis.
If Filing on Behalf of Someone Else
You can file a claim for a loved one, including someone who has passed away. Here are some examples of documents you may need:
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Proof of death, such as a Death Certificate, Medical Certificate of Death, or a Statement of Death from a funeral service provider; and
Legal documents like a Grant of Probate (if there was a Will) or Grant of Administration (if there was no Will), or other documents depending on the Province or Territory.
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Additional documents, such as Power of Attorney, Proof of Guardianship, or similar legal forms, will be required.
The exact process for this will be outlined in the official claims form when it is released.
When Will Compensation Be Paid?
It is not yet clear how soon payments will be made as the claims process has not begun.
Our current understanding is that payments are to be made within two years of the settlement’s approval date, which was March 6, 2025. This could mean claimants will receive compensation by March 6, 2027, but delays are possible. We will continue to provide updates if and when we receive new information.
What If I Smoke (or Smoked) But Am Not Eligible?
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you will not receive direct compensation.
You can still help by sharing this information with family, friends, or others you know who have been diagnosed with a tobacco-related disease. Many eligible people—especially seniors or those who have lost a loved one to a tobacco-related illness—may not be aware of the settlement or know how to file a claim.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official Tobacco Claims Canada website and sign up for email or letter mail updates: Tobacco Claims Canada
Please keep checking our website as well. MANTRA will continue to post updates as we are informed, but the only way to file a claim is at the Tobacco Claims Canada website (outside of Quebec).
If you or a loved one feels unsure about how to participate in this process, ask a trusted family member or friend for help. It’s important that those who qualify don’t miss out on the compensation they may be entitled to.
