Tobacco control:
What’s the issue?
Tobacco continues to be the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Canada. An estimated 45,000 Canadians die each year as a result of smoking. Countless others live with chronic diseases. Despite public health education and prevention efforts, approximately 16 % of Canadians currently smoke. The federal government committed to reducing these smoking rates to “less than 5% by 2035,” as per the recommendations by the Tobacco Endgame Cabinet. Yet, given current inactivity, weak measures and lack of accountability, this goal will not be met. More information about our activity on tobacco control can be found here.