News Release
2002-52
June 28, 2002
For immediate release
Smoking rates continuing to drop
OTTAWA - The Canadian Tobacco
Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS) results released today confirm that smoking rates continue
to drop in Canada.
CTUMS, conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of Health Canada, reveals that 5.4 million
Canadians, or 22 per cent of the populations aged 15 and over, were smokers in the year
2001, compared with 24 per cent in the year 2000 and 25 per cent in 1999. These most recent
findings bring Canada even closer to the Government of Canada's target to reduce overall
smoking prevalence to 20 per cent by the year 2011.
The survey is especially helpful in providing smoking data on groups at risk, such as
youth and young adults aged 15-24. Monitoring youth smoking is critical, since the majority
of new recruits to smoking are generally adolescents. Although, smoking rates for ages
15-19 declined between 2000 and 2001 from 25 per cent to 22.5 per cent, the smoking prevalence
for ages 20-24 remained consistent at 32 per cent in 2001, unchanged from 2000.
Surveillance, such as CTUMS, is a key component in implementing the Federal Tobacco Control
Strategy's programs and initiatives. The strategy's diversified measures to reduce tobacco
consumption also include regulation and compliance, public education, policy development,
partnerships with provinces and territories, municipal governments and NGO's taxation,
and mass media campaigns.
The Federal Tobacco Control Strategy totals almost $560 million over five years. This
significant sum of money dedicated to tobacco control demonstrates the commitment and determination
on the part of the Government of Canada to reduce tobacco consumption and improve the health
to Canadians.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Canada - killing more than five times
the number of people than car accidents, murder, suicide and alcohol abuse combined. Every
year, more than 45,000 Canadians die as result of disease and illness caused by tobacco
use.
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Media Inquiries:
Andrew Swift
Health Canada
(613) 957-2988
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
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