Canada’s smoking rate at 13 percent

Canada’s cigarette smoking prevalence in 2015, at 13 percent, was down from 15 percent in 2013, according to a survey carried out by Statistics Canada for Health Canada.

The decrease was driven by reductions in the smoking prevalence among adults over 25 years of age.

There was no change in the smoking prevalence among young people.

The Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey (CTADS) 2015 is described as a general population survey of tobacco, alcohol and drug use among Canadians aged 15 years and older, with a focus on 15-24 year olds.

In carrying out the survey Statistics Canada interviewed more than 15,000 Canadians over the telephone, including for the first time households with only cellular telephones.

In a press note issued through CNW, Health Canada said the CTADS results showed progress in reducing smoking among adults.

They also highlighted the work still to be done with young people, in areas including tobacco. Health Canada called for support for its efforts to ban menthol in cigarettes, blunt wraps and most cigars, to introduce plain packaging for all tobacco products, and to regulate vaping products.

‘The government of Canada remains committed to making evidence-based health policy and regulatory decisions, and the CTADS data are an important resource,’ Health Canada said.

Meanwhile, the CTADS survey found that the use of electronic cigarettes had increased, with 13 percent of Canadians having tried an electronic cigarette, an increase from 9 percent in 2013.

Among those who had tried an electronic cigarette, 47 percent reported that their most recent electronic cigarette had contained nicotine.

Half of current or former smokers who had ever tried an electronic cigarette reported using these devices as a smoking cessation aid.