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Smoking

Smoking Initiation

In 2009/10, about two-thirds of current or former adult (20+ years) smokers in Simcoe Muskoka reported smoking their first whole cigarette when they were 16 years of age or younger. Nearly half of adult (20+) daily smokers reported that they started smoking cigarettes daily before the age of 17.

Adult Smoking

In 2009/10, one in four adults (20+ years) in Simcoe Muskoka reported smoking daily or occasionally. Daily smoking in Simcoe Muskoka has been declining over the past seven years. 

Youth Smoking Abstinence

Between 2007 and 2010, three quarters of Simcoe Muskoka youth (12-19 years) had never smoked a whole cigarette in their life. Smoking abstinence was higher for younger youth (12-15 years) when compared with older teens (16-19 years). 

Youth Smoking

In 2011, about one in ten Ontario students (grades 7-12) smoked cigarettes in the past year. There has been a decreasing trend in youth smoking across the province over the past decade.  In a 2005-2006 survey of Simcoe Muskoka high school students, smoking rates increased by grade level.  

Smoking Cessation

There are now more former smokers in Ontario and Simcoe Muskoka than there are current smokers. In 2009/10, more than 60% of adult (20+ years) former smokers have quit for 10 or more years.

Smoking During Pregnancy

Unborn children are vulnerable to secondhand smoke exposure. Educating pregnant women is key to protecting their unborn children from secondhand smoke. Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to low birth-weight and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In 2005, one in 10 recent mothers reported smoking during their last pregnancy.

Smoking Attributable Mortality (SAM)

Those who smoke have an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease. An estimated 47,000 people across Canada die each year from smoking-related causes.