Tobacco Use

General Population

Tobacco use is fairly common in Canada. Approximately 4.9 million Canadians (18%) over the age of 15 are current smokers; 14% of those smoke on a daily basis, consuming an average of 15.3 cigarettes per day (CTUMS, 2010 Wave 1). Tobacco use rates are consistently higher in males than females. In 2010, 21% of males used tobacco compared to 14% of females. And males smoked approximately three more cigarettes daily than females (CTUMS, 2010 Wave 1). Young adults between ages 20 and 24 have the highest smoking rates with a prevalence of 27%. After age 20-24, smoking prevalence declines with increased age. Conversely, cigarette consumption increases with age after this range (Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, 2009).

Alberta

Smoking prevalence is higher in Alberta (20%) than the national average (18%) (CTUMS, 2010 Wave 1). However, 14% of Albertans smoke daily, which is the equivalent to the national average. The percentage of daily smokers in Alberta decreased between 1999 and 2009 in all age groups (CTUMS, 2008 as cited in Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, 2009). Male and female smoking rates have remained stable since 2003. In 2008, 22.5% of males (324,600) and 18.3% (255,700) females were smokers. On average, smokers in Alberta consume approximately 14 cigarettes per day; however, male smokers consume three to four more cigarettes than female smokers (Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, 2009).

Youth

Studies show that most people who smoke begin in adolescence. The Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) is a national survey of tobacco and substance use among youth in Canada. Data from the survey suggests that most smokers begin experimenting with cigarettes between ages 10 and 18.3 (YSS, 2008/2009, p. 4). This is consistent with earlier research that indicates that many children smoke their first cigarette between ages 11 and 15 (Bachman et al., 1997; O’Laughlin et al., 1998).

Smoking prevalence among youth aged 15-17 is 11% and 14% of youth in Canada aged 15-19 smoke. Eight percent of youth smoke on a daily basis, consuming 11.6 cigarettes a day (CTUMS 2010 Wave 1). In Alberta, 32% of youth in grades six to 12 have tried cigarettes, and 5*% of youth in Alberta report being current smokers (YSS, 2008/2009). Similar to adults, males in grades 6 to 12 have higher rates of tobacco use than females. 60.8% of males in grades 10-12 have tried smoking compared to 47.0% of females, and 44% of males in grades 10-12 have tried cigarillos compared to 29.3% of females (YSS 2008-09).

Youth begin smoking for a variety of reasons, but studies show that smoking behaviour is influenced by family and peers. “80% of current smokers in the province have family members who smoke compared to 66% of triers and 47% of non-smokers” (YSS, 2008/2009, p. 4). Similarly, youth who have friends who smoke are more likely to smoke than youth who do not have friends who smoke. “89% of current smokers have friends who smoke compared to 92% of triers and 26% of non-smokers” and youth who have three or more friends who smoke are more likely to be current smokers than youth who have 0 to 2 friends who smoke (YSS, 2008/2009, p. 4). Peer influences also influence smokeless tobacco use.

 

Youth who smoke typically do so when socializing. 30% of current smokers reported that they “usually/always” share cigarettes with other people, and 65% of triers reported sharing cigarettes with others (YSS, 2008/2009). 48% of youth reported that it would be easy to get cigarettes if desired. Youth mainly obtain cigarettes from social sources such as friends or parents. They also buy them from other or ask others to buy cigarettes for them (YSS, 2008/2009). However, 44% of youth aged 15-19 who were current smokers (approximately 78,000 youth in Canada) reported having obtained tobacco products from retail sources: mainly small grocery and corner stores (CTUMS, 2010 Wave 1).

 Alberta youth who smoke are more likely to use other drugs. The 2008/2009 YSS showed that youth who smoke are more likely to drink alcohol. Nearly all youth in grades 10-12 who ever tried smoking also drank alcohol within the past 12 months. And youth who smoke are also much more likely to binge drink than youth who have never tried smoking. Cannabis use is more prevalent among youth smokers, especially those who report binge drinking within the past 12 months (YSS, 2008-09, Confidence tables).

 Although cigarettes have the highest rate of use among youth in Alberta, tobacco use is not restricted to cigarettes. Alternative tobacco products including cigarillos, cigars, pipes, roll your own cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco are also used by youth. Studies show that use of alternative forms of tobacco is increasing. Like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco use begins at a young age. In a study of grade school aged children in rural Alberta and Calgary, students reported trying smokeless tobacco before age 13 or just after nine years old (Wykcham, 1999). Also, flavoured cigarillos have become popular with young people and are the most popular tobacco product after cigarettes. The popularity of cigarillos is differentiated by its disproportionate popularity with youth and young adults as opposed to other age groups (YSS 2008/2009).

 

Use

Social and Health Concerns

Treatment and Prevention

References

 

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