British Columbia has the lowest smoking rate in Canada for the 12th year in a row at 14.3 per cent, says the 2010 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS).
B.C.’s overall smoking rate fell to 14.3 per cent in 2010 from 14.9 per cent in 2009, while the national average is 17 per cent. Ontario has the second-lowest rate at 15 per cent, with Saskatchewan the highest at 21 per cent.
Most positively, B.C.’s smoking rate for ages 15 to 19 decreased from 13 per cent in 2009 to 8.9 per cent in 2010. This is the lowest rate achieved since 1999. The national rate is 12 per cent.
“This further fall in smoking prevalence in B.C. provides additional support for the broad-based and comprehensive health-promotion strategies that we have invested in here in B.C.” said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall in a media release.
“I am especially pleased to see that the youth smoking rate continues to decline. By reaching youth now, we are literally saving lives down the road.”
Despite having the lowest rate in the country, more than 6,000 British Columbians die from tobacco use every year. The cost to the B.C. economy is approximately $2.3 billion annually, including more than $605 million for direct health-care costs.
To help further reduce smoking the provincial government is adding smoking cessation drugs and 100 per cent coverage of eligible nicotine gum or patches for smokers who wish to quit, to the PharmaCare coverage as of Sept. 30.
The province, through Healthy Families BC, is also providing advice and assistance through things like the ongoing QuitNow Services.
QuitNow provides support to British Columbians who want to quit smoking 24 hours a day, free-of-charge by phone or online. For more info, call 1-877-455-2233 or visit: www.QuitNow.ca.
— News staff
