Canada
Updated: July 18, 2011
Overview
Prevalence of Tobacco Use
Cost of Tobacco Use
Tobacco-Related Health Information
Tobacco Use in the Workplace
Tobacco Cessation Treatment Options
Resources
Citations
Overview
Tobacco use rates in Canada are comparable to the United States. Canada spends over C$3.5 billion annually to provide direct medical care to tobacco users.1 Tobacco-related illnesses are a major cause of death; every year, more than 45,000 Canadians die prematurely from tobacco-related illnesses.2
Prevalence of Tobacco Use
Currently, 18% of all Canadian adults (aged 15 and older) smoke.3
- 19.2% of Canadian men use tobacco.4
- 15.2% of Canadian women use tobacco.4
Tobacco use rates are decreasing, from 35% in 1985 to 19% in 2006.5 In 2010, smokers consumed an average of 15.3 cigarettes daily.
Cigarettes are the main source of tobacco use in Canada. Although less common than cigarettes, some Canadians smoke cigars or use spit tobacco. In 2010, 3% of Canadians reported having smoked cigars or cigarillos in the previous 30 days.3 Spit tobacco use is higher in the prairies, and among athletes, Native Populations and rural males.6
Cost of Tobacco Use
Canada spends over C$3.5 billion each year to provide direct medical care (including hospital, physician and drug costs) to tobacco users.1 When indirect costs such as worker absenteeism, residential fires and lost future income caused by premature death are considered, the total annual economic burden to Canadian society from tobacco use totals C$15 billion.1
The Annual Estimated Cost
Per Canadian Employee Who Smokes |
| Increased absenteeism |
C$323 |
| Decreased productivity |
C$3,053 |
| Smoking area costs |
C$20 |
| TOTAL |
C$3,396 |
| Source: : The Conference Board of Canada. Smoking and the Bottom Line: Updating the Costs of Smoking in the Workplace. (2006). http://sso.conferenceboard.ca/documents.aspx?did=1754. Accessed May 23, 2011. |
Tobacco-Related Health Information
Tobacco-related illnesses are a major cause of death in Canada. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women.7 The risk of cancer and other serious conditions increases sharply the more an individual smokes and the longer he or she smokes.8 Half of lifetime smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. 8
- Tobacco-related illnesses kill about 45,000 Canadians each year.2
- Every 11 minutes a Canadian dies from tobacco use.9
- Smoking tobacco causes 85% of all new cases of lung cancer in Canada.7
Tobacco Use in the Workplace
Smoking and Occupation
Rates of tobacco use in Canada differ by occupation and education level. According to the 2009 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS): 4
- 23.3% of Canadians without a high school degree smoke
- 22.3% of Canadians with a high school degree smoke
- 15.7% of Canadians with a community college degree smoke
- 9.3% of Canadians with a four-year university degree smoke
Smoking rates vary by occupation: 4
- 29.1% of trade, transport or equipment operators smoke
- 29.2% of workers in processing, manufacturing or utilities occupations smoke
- 21.7% of sales or service workers smoke
- 15.3% of workers employed in the administrative, financial or clerical sectors smoke
- 10.6% of health care workers smoke
Smoking Restrictions at Work
The Canadian government banned smoking in all federally regulated workplaces and public spaces.10 Six states prohibit smoking in all public spaces; others have less comprehensive smoking bans.11 The Canadian government is encouraging all employers to go smoke-free.
According to the 2006 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS), 94% of working individuals reported having some workplace smoking restriction in place.5
- 44% identified that smoking was completely restricted, a 10% drop from 2005. 5
- 43% of individuals reported that smoking was allowed in designated workplace areas, up from 34% in 2005.5
- 6% of respondents reported that smoking was not restricted at all in their workplace.5
Workplace restrictions on tobacco vary by occupation:
- 81% of professionals12
- 76% of administrative, financial, or clerical workers12
- 31% of farming, forestry, fishing, or mining occupations12
Public education and tobacco control efforts in Canada began in 1962. In that year, Canada's Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons on Smoking & Health publicized the link between smoking, disease and premature death, a full two years before the U.S. Surgeon General's 1964 report linking tobacco use to lung cancer was published.
Canada's health system strongly advocates for tobacco cessation. They implemented the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, joined the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and observes the annual National Non-Smoking Week.
The Federal Tobacco Control Strategy's (FTCS) mission is to reduce tobacco-related death and disease among Canadians.13 It is built on the tenets of prevention, protection, cessation (quitting smoking) and product regulation.13 Most of the original FTCS objectives have been met.13
Furthering its efforts, Canada signed the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003. 14
Additionally, the country established National Non-Smoking Week. For over 30 years, National Non-Smoking Week has been held during the third week of January.15 Its main goals include educating Canadians about smoking dangers, helping smokers quit, preventing non-smokers from becoming smokers and establishing a goal of Canada to become a smoke-free society.15 The Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Lung Association, and the provincial, territorial and federal Ministries of Health are major supporters of National Non-Smoking Week. 15
Tobacco Cessation Treatment Options
A wide variety of tobacco cessation treatment options are available in Canada, including quitlines, medications and counseling. The first quitlines in Canada were established in 2002. All 10 Canadian provinces have tobacco cessation quitlines. Nicotine replacement products (NRTs), such as nicotine gum and nicotine patch, are available over the counter. In addition, there are currently two prescription medications available to help smokers quit. These non-nicotine drugs are bupropion SR (trade name Wellbutrin® and Zyban®) and varenicline (trade name Chantix™).16
Resources
- Health Canada
Helpful information on tobacco control and legislation in Canada.
- Canadian Council for Tobacco Control (CCTC)
A non-profit membership organization "committed to ensuring the timely and practical transfer of crucial knowledge and skill development for effective local, provincial, and national action on tobacco issues."15
Citations
1 Health Canada. Role of governments. Accessed May 23, 2011
2 The Lung Association. Smoking & tobacco: facts about smoking. Accessed May 23, 2011.
3 Health Canada. Canadian tobacco use monitoring survey (CTUMS) 2010. Accessed May 23, 2011.
4 Health Canada. Canadian tobacco use monitoring survey (CTUMS) 2009. Accessed May 23, 2011.
5 Health Canada. Canadian tobacco use monitoring survey (CTUMS) 2006. Accessed May 23, 2011.
6 Health Canada. Smokeless tobacco. Accessed May 23, 2011.
7 Health Canada. Smoking and your body. Accessed May 23, 2011.
8 Health Canada. Health effects of smoking. Accessed May 23, 2011.
9 Health Canada. About tobacco control. Accessed May 23, 2011.
10 Health Canada. Health concerns: federal laws. Accessed May 23, 2011.
11 Health Canada. Public smoking bans by province and territory. Accessed May 23, 2011.
12 Health Canada. Smoking in Canada: an overview. Accessed May 23, 2011.
13Health Canada. Federal tobacco control strategy. Accessed May 23, 2011.
14World Health Organization. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). Accessed May 23, 2011.
15 National Non-Smoking Week. Accessed May 23, 2011.
16 Canadian Lung Association. Smoking and tobacco: quitting smoking. Accessed May 23, 2011.
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