Smoking rates have been falling for the last 25 years in Canada but smoking tobacco is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death. 19.9 per cent of Canadians smoked in 2011.
May 31 is World No Tobacco Day as declared by the World Health Organization. This year’s theme is a ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
Canada has already banned smoking in public places but in 2011 there were still 5.8 million Canadians 12 years and older who used tobacco. 22.3 per cent of men smoked, as did 17.5 per cent of women. The highest rate is in the 20-24 year old age group.
Smoking is responsible for 16.6 per cent of all deaths in Canada according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. The illnesses it causes are cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.
Tobacco companies are being sued for health care costs of smoking in all but one Canadian province. On Friday a court in Ontario threw out a bid by 14 big tobacco companies to stop a case in which they are being sued by the province for $50 billion. The case will proceed.
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