Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey

The prevalence of smoking in Canada has shown a slight decrease in 2002, according to the latest results from the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS). Although the change is not statistically significant, the prevalence of smoking continues the downward trend that has been seen in recent years.

An estimated 5.4 million people, or 21% of the population aged 15 years and older, were smokers in 2002, down from 22% in 2001. Men outnumbered women by a small margin, with about 23% of men aged 15 years and older smoking compared with 20% of women.

Smoking rates for youth have not changed significantly since 2001. The proportion of smokers aged 15 to 19 years was 22% in 2002, and 31% for young adults aged 20 to 24.

In 2002, the vast majority of current smokers (82%) smoked daily. In 1985, daily smokers consumed an average of 21 cigarettes per day. Since then, the number of cigarettes smoked has been gradually declining, falling to 16 cigarettes per day in 2002. Men continued to smoke more cigarettes than women: 18 compared with 15 cigarettes per day.

British Columbia once again had the lowest smoking prevalence rate, at 16%. However, no province particularly stands out as having the highest prevalence. In three provinces, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan the smoking prevalence rate went down to 21% compared with 25% (New Brunswick and Saskatchewan) or 26% (Manitoba) in 2001.

Of women aged 20 to 44 who were pregnant in the five years prior to the survey, 11% smoked regularly during their most recent pregnancy. However, this was down from the 19% reported in the 1995 Survey on Smoking in Canada. As well, in 2002, 13% had a spouse who smoked regularly at home during their most recent pregnancy

The CTUMS, conducted since 1999 by Statistics Canada on behalf of Health Canada, provides timely, reliable and continuous data on tobacco use and related issues. The survey's primary objective is to track changes in smoking status and amount smoked, especially for 15- to 24-year-olds, who are most at risk for taking up smoking. Data cited from before 1999 have been derived from other surveys. This release is based on data obtained between February and December 2002 from about 23,300 respondents.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4440.

For more information about the survey results, contact Jirina Vlk (613-957-2988; jirina_vlk@hc-sc.gc.ca), Health Canada, or visit the Tobacco Control Programme website (www.gosmokefree.ca/ctums).

For information on the public-use microdata file, contact Client Services (1-800-461-9050; 613-951-3321; fax: 613-951-4527; ssd@statcan.gc.ca), Special Surveys Division.