The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is asking all party leaders to stop cancer before it starts by making a solid investment in cancer prevention.

• Cancer is the leading cause of death in BC. Two in five British Columbians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and one in four will die from cancer.
• Health care consumes almost half of the BC government's total budget.
• We know about half of all cancers can be prevented by a combination of healthy living and healthy public policies.

The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is advocating for stronger provincial tobacco control regulation in outdoor public places, such as outdoor patios of bars and restaurants, and on parks, playgrounds and beaches.

• Tobacco use remains the largest single preventable cause of death and disease in BC, killing more than 6,000 British Columbians each year.
• There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, which is linked to the death of up to 140 British Columbians each year.
• In an outdoor setting, second-hand smoke is a hazard. In fact, being within a few feet of a smoker outdoors may expose you to air pollution levels comparable to homes and bars that allow smoking.
• Banning smoking in outdoor public places is a sound public health policy which can increase the motivation for smokers to quit or cut back, and decrease unhealthy role modelling for children and youth.

The Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon, is advocating for provincial legislation that would ban the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides across BC (pesticides used to improve the appearance of non-agricultural landscaping such as lawns, gardens, parks, playgrounds and sports fields).

• Cosmetic pesticide use is a public health issue, particularly for children. There is a growing body of evidence linking pesticide exposure with certain types of cancer.
• There is broad public support for a cosmetic pesticide ban in BC.
• Alternatives to chemical cosmetic pesticides are available, have proven to work and are good for business.