September 13, 2006

Ontario’s Smoke-Free Efforts Exceed Expectations

Tobacco Consumption Drops Dramatically

 

TORONTO –The latest Health Canada figures indicate tobacco consumption in Ontario has fallen by 18.7 per cent since 2003, and Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson says the McGuinty government is making excellent progress toward meeting its commitment to reduce tobacco consumption in Ontario by 20 per cent before the end of 2007.

“Our Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy has exceeded our expectations for success,” said Watson. “Tobacco consumption has fallen by over 18 per cent or more than 2.6 billion cigarettes since the McGuinty government was elected, and we are well on the way to meeting our target.”

Health Canada’s figures measure consumption based on units of cigarette sales. The sales data include domestic cigarettes and cigarette equivalents, e.g., roll your own, as reported to Health Canada by domestic tobacco manufactures. Their data are a widely used indicator of cigarette consumption.

“Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario,” said Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “These figures show that the Smoke-Free Ontario strategy is making a positive impact on public health in our province.”

“The doctors of Ontario applaud the success of the government’s smoke-free programs and are strong supporters of the efforts to reduce tobacco use in the province,” said Dr. David Bach, President of the Ontario Medical Association. “These initiatives are improving the quality of life for family members, co-workers and the public.”

"The Ontario government is taking effective action to protect people from the dangers of tobacco use,” said Rocco Rossi, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. “The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario supports strong anti-tobacco measures. We are proud partners and salute the government’s commitment to making Ontario smoke-free.”

Smoking kills 16,000 people in Ontario each year. Tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario economy at least $1.7 billion for health care annually, result in more than $2.6 billion in productivity losses and account for at least 500,000 hospital days each year.

Since 2003, the McGuinty government’s investment in tobacco control programs has increased six-fold to $60 million. The three-part Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy includes a youth prevention strategy, which includes peer-to-peer programs and the award-winning Stupid.ca campaign; protecting Ontarians from exposure to second-hand smoke; and cessation programs.

The strategy is part of the McGuinty government’s comprehensive plan to improve health care in Ontario. The plan includes keeping Ontarians healthier, reducing wait times for key procedures, creating Family Health Teams, and increasing access to doctors and nurses.

 

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For further information:

Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Version française disponible

Tobacco Consumption Is Down Dramatically In Ontario

BACKGROUND

• The McGuinty government made a commitment to reduce tobacco consumption by 20 per cent before the end of 2007.

• 2005 per capita cigarette sales declined by 10.3 per cent from 2004 sales.

• The total decline since 2003 is 18.7 per cent.

• Achievement of the 20 per cent goal will represent approximately 2.6 billion fewer cigarettes shipped to retailers by tobacco companies.

• The number of youth who abstain from smoking has increased by ten percent since 2003 to 67 per cent. This increase is statistically significant. Studies have shown that if people don’t start smoking by the age of 18, chances are they never will.

The Data

• Health Canada recommends the use of wholesale data to measure consumption.

• Since 2001, federal law has required that tobacco companies submit wholesale tobacco sales figures to Health Canada. National and provincial sales figures as far back as 1980 are available for tobacco products such as domestic and imported cigarettes and fine cut tobacco (roll-your-own).

• The per capita calculation adjusts for changes in the population over time, which is necessary to make year-over-year comparisons.

• Population figures used to derive per capita estimates of tobacco consumption are obtained from Statistics Canada. The figures used for this purpose reflect Ontario’s population 15 years and older.

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For further information:

Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Version française disponible