Smoking Cessation

Tobacco

Smoking Cessation

It is often said that starting smoking is much easier than quitting smoking. But, with practice and support, quitting is achievable. There are now more former smokers in Ontario and Simcoe Muskoka than there are current smokers. In fact, according to the 2009-2010 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), 40% (36.6%, 43.8%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults (20+ years) considered themselves to be former smokers compared to 27% (23.3%, 30.5%) who currently smoke either daily or occasionally.

The majority of these former smokers have achieved long-term success. According to the CCHS between the years of 2007-2010, over half (60% (55.9%, 64.8%)) of adult former smokers in Simcoe Muskoka have been smoke-free for 10 years or more.

From the 2011 Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) survey, 62% (53.7%, 69.0%) of adult smokers in Simcoe Muskoka said they were considering or committed to quitting smoking. From the same survey, about half (45% (36.9%, 52.4%) of current smokers attempted to quit for at least one whole day in the previous twelve months.

This research is supported by the level of participation in such cessation initiatives as the annual provincial quit smoking contest, the 'Driven to Quit Challenge'. In 2011, 37,511 Ontarians who smoked daily (ages 19+ years) entered the contest. Simcoe Muskoka had the third highest number of entries in the province, behind only Ottawa and Toronto. The average age of the entrants in Simcoe Muskoka was 42 years.