To be eligible, the Tobacco-Victim must have smoked at least 87,600 cigarettes sold by the Tobacco Companies between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998. This is also called “Twelve Pack-Years,” which is calculated as any combination of the number of cigarettes smoked in a day multiplied by the number of days of consumption.

For example, Twelve Pack-Years equals:

• 20 cigarettes a day for 12 years (20 × 365 × 12 = 87,600 cigarettes);
• 10 cigarettes a day for 24 years (10 × 365 × 24 = 87,600 cigarettes);
• 10 cigarettes a day for 4 years, then 20 cigarettes a day for 6 years and, finally, 40 cigarettes a day for 2 years; or
• 10 cigarettes a day for 2 years, 20 cigarettes a day for 5 years, no cigarettes at all for one year and then 20 cigarettes a day for 6 years.

Only the cigarettes smoked between January 1, 1950 and November 20, 1998 can be calculated in your smoking history. This means that cigarettes smoked in the last 27 years do not count.

A pack-year is a way of measuring smoking history. It is based on American cigarette packs, which contain 20 cigarettes per pack—even though most Canadian packs have 25 cigarettes per pack.

We understand this can make calculating your smoking history confusing—especially since it may have been many years ago, and you're used to thinking in 25-cigarette packs.

Don’t worry. This calculator can help you calculate the number of pack-years that the Tobacco-Victim smoked. The PCC Agent and QCAP Agent (Proactio) can also help you figure out your relevant smoking history.

"Primary cancer" is a medical term referring to the original site where the cancer first develops—the organ or tissue where the cancer began.

"Secondary cancer" or "metastatic cancer" are medical terms used when the cancer has spread from its original site to other organs or tissues in the body.

For example, Primary Lung Cancer means the cancer started in the lungs. This is different from a case where cancer begins in another part of the body—like the kidney—and later spreads to the lungs. In that case, the lung cancer is considered secondary, not primary.

In this example, even though cancer cells may have developed in the lungs, the cancer is NOT considered a primary lung cancer. It is a primary kidney cancer and is therefore not covered under the PCC and QCAP Plans.

The term “throat” is regularly used, but it is not a medical term. What we commonly call “throat” actually refers to different parts of the upper aerodigestive tract, not all of which are covered by the PCC and QCAP Plans.

The PCC and QCAP Plans provide compensation to those diagnosed with primary squamous cell cancers of the larynx, oropharynx or hypopharynx.

The term “larynx” refers to the upper part of the respiratory passage (i.e. the top of your windpipe) (trachea). It can also be called the “voice box”.

The term “oropharynx” refers to the middle part of the throat. Specifically, the pharynx below the soft palate and above the epiglottis, and continuous with the mouth. It includes the soft palate, the side and back walls of the throat, the tonsils and the back third of the tongue. Note: The front two-thirds of the tongue—also called the “body of the tongue”—are not part of the oropharynx. They are part of the oral cavity instead.

The term “hypopharynx” refers to the lower part of the throat, located below the oropharynx, extending from the hyoid bone (in the neck) to the lower margin of the cricoid cartilage, where it connects with the voice box (larynx) and windpipe.

If you are unsure, contact the PCC Agent or QCAP Agent (Proactio) for assistance.