Tobacco

Tobacco Information and Facts

The harm caused by smoking and secondhand smoke is known to many Canadians, but did you know that more than 45,000 Canadians will die this year due to smoking and that more than 1,000 non-smoking Canadians will die from exposure to secondhand smoke^1,2?

The good news is that most Canadians don’t smoke, and the smoking rates have declined for all age groups in the last 2 decades by almost a half^3,2!

Some general smoking stats from Health Canada’s “Canadian Tobacco Monitoring Survey 2006”^4_.

• 19% of the population aged 15 years and older are current smokers. That’s fewer than 5 million Canadians.
• Between 1985 and 2006, smoking rates fell by almost one-half, from 35% to 19%.
• 14% of Canadians aged 15 years and older report smoking daily, consuming 15.5 cigarettes per day on average.
• 4% of Canadians aged 15 years and older report smoking occasionally.
• 20% of males and 17% of females aged 15 years and older are current smokers

Good job Canada for reducing tobacco use!

Health Risks of Smoking 

Smokers are at very high risk for many diseases and illnesses such as¹:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
• Lung cancer
• Cancers of the mouth, lip, throat and voice box
• Cancer of the pancreas
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Coronary heart disease (e.g., heart attacks)
• Circulatory problems
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol (LDL)
• Pneumonia
• Influenza (the "flu")
• The common cold
• Peptic ulcers
• Tooth decay (cavities)
• Gum disease
• Osteoporosis
• Sleep problems
• Cataracts

What is in a cigarette? 

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which  are known to cause cancer¹. Carbon monoxide, cadmium, benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, tar and hydrogen cyanide are all found in cigarette smoke – and that’s just to name a few^1,2!

Why Cigarettes are so Addictive 

Nicotine is the main, highly addictive ingredient in cigarettes. Within 7 seconds of puffing on a cigarette, nicotine enters the brain, providing the sensations of calmness, alertness, and also boosting moods.² This effect wears off in time and results in the craving of another cigarette. The more cigarettes smoked, the more nicotine is needed to create the boost, which in turn leads to more smoking².

Withdrawal symptoms occur when nicotine is no longer absorbed into the body. These vary over a wide range from all to none of the following symptoms: irritability, anxiousness, restlessness, anger or frustration, changes in body temperature, changes in heart rate, an increased appetite, changes to digestion, and problems sleeping². Remember, though, these withdrawal symptoms are signs that the body is healing from its dependency.

The Barb Tarbox Story

Barb lost her life to lung cancer caused by smoking. She spent her last few months of her life travelling the country to share her story with youth. Her inspiring story can be found by clicking here.

Web Page References:

¹ The Canadian Lung Association http://www.lung.ca/ Date accessed: Oct 11, 2007

² The Canadian Cancer Society http://www.cancer.ca/ Date accessed: Oct 11, 2007

³ Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Smoking Trends in Ontario http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/updates/archives/hu_04/tobacco/tobacco_trend.html Date accessed Oct 23, 2007

⁴ Health Canada, Canadian Tobacco Monitoring Survey 2006, http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/tobac-tabac/research-recherche/stat/ctums-esutc/2006/ann_summary-sommaire_e.html Date Accessed Oct 23, 2007