Smoking Rates Continue to Decline

Fewer young Nova Scotians are smoking, according to the annual Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey, released today, July 10.

The report shows that smoking rates among Nova Scotians 15- to 19-year-olds have dropped from 20 per cent in 2004 down to 13 per cent in 2005. Smoking rates among Nova Scotians aged 20-24 have also dropped from 33 per cent to 27 per cent.

"These are positive results," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "The focus of our tobacco strategy over the past two years has been on reducing smoking rates among young Nova Scotians. These results show our strategy is working."

The province's tobacco control strategy was introduced in 2001. Since that time tobacco use and smoking rates in Nova Scotia have steadily declined. The success of the strategy is due, in large part, to the active support of health professionals and community groups across the province.

"Nova Scotians should be proud of their continued success in reducing tobacco use," said Mr. Barnet. "It is important to recognize the support of those organizations, groups and individuals who work hard to eliminate the use of tobacco products. Without their dedication Nova Scotian would not be seeing the positive results we are acknowledging today."

The strategy uses a multi-pronged approach to address tobacco control that includes community-based programming, cessation programs, youth prevention, social marketing, policy development and legislation.

Nova Scotia's overall smoking rates remain statistically unchanged. The 2005 report shows an increase in overall smoking rates from 20 per cent it 2004 to 21 per cent in 2005. This increase is not considered statistically significant. Since 2000 overall smoking rates have declined from 30 per cent to 21 per cent.