Canadian Health Magazine: The decline and fall of smoking

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The decline and fall of smoking

As Canada’s population increases, smoking is in decline. But we still have a way to go

Philip Jackson

20% Decline in the total number of current Canadian smokers, ages 15+, 1999–2008

1.2 million Decrease in the number of current smokers,
ages 15+, 1999–2008

1.7 million Increase in the number of former smokers,
ages 15+, 1999–2008

2.6 million Rise in the number of never smokers, ages 15+, 1999–2008

4% Increase in ever smokers (current and former combined), ages 15+, 1999–2008

15% Lowest rate of smoking among provinces across Canada — British Columbia

21% Highest rate of smoking among provinces — Saskatchewan

21% Prevalence of current smoking in rural Canadian communities, versus 17% in urban communities

27% Proportion of Canadians ages 20 to 24 who are current smokers (highest prevalence by age)

15% Proportion of Canadians ages 15 to 19 who are current smokers

45+ Age bracket of Canadian smokers giving up tobacco at the highest rate

37,000 Annual number of tobacco-related deaths in Canada — half of which are premature deaths before age 70

— Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey 2009 and Overview of Health Risks of Smoking, Health Canada