Nova Scotia Goes From Worst to First in Youth Smoking Rates

Nova Scotia has the lowest smoking rate in the country for young people, according to data released today, Jan. 21, by Health Canada.

In 2000, Nova Scotia had the highest smoking rate among youth in the country at 31 per cent. Seven years later, it is now the lowest with only 12 per cent of youth aged 15 to 19 smoking.

"Today's results speak volumes to the commitment Nova Scotians have made to reduce the number of smokers in our province, particularly among our children," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. "As pleased as we are with the results to date, we have more work to do to help Nova Scotians of all ages stop smoking."

Nova Scotia's overall smoking rate was also highest in Canada in 2000, with 30 per cent of the population smoking. The latest results show 20 per cent of Nova Scotians currently smoke. The national rate is 19 per cent.

"Tobacco-related illness costs our health-care system $170 million a year," said Mr. Barnet. "By reducing smoking rates, we are also helping to keep the treatment of preventable illness out of our health-care system. This is an important step forward as we work to make our health-care system more efficient, effective, and sustainable."

Since the implementation of the province's comprehensive Tobacco Control Strategy in 2001, Nova Scotia has had a consistent decrease in overall smoking rates. 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.

The Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey is released by Health Canada twice a year. The first part of the results represent data for the first six months of 2007. The complete 2007 data will be released this summer.

"I want to thank our many partners, stakeholders, parents and children who have played a role in today's results," said Mr. Barnet. "This is great news and only increases our resolve to continue protecting the health and safety of our population when it comes to the dangers of tobacco use."

Tobacco control is one way the province helps make communities healthier and safer for Nova Scotians to live, work and play. The full report can be found at www.gosmokefree.ca/ctums and the Nova Scotia Tobacco Control Strategy and a Nova Scotia specific graph can be found on the Department of Health Promotion and Protection website at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp .