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 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), 45% (40.3%, 48.6%) of Simcoe Muskoka adults (20+ years) considered themselves to be former smokers compared to 25% (21.9%, 29.0%) who currently smoke either daily or occasionally.

The majority of these former smokers have achieved long-term success. Over half (58% (50.4%, 64.9%)) of adult (20+ years) former smokers in Simcoe Muskoka have been smoke-free for 10 years or more.

From the 2007 Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) survey, 54% (47.9%, 60.1%) of those currently smoking in Simcoe Muskoka said they were considering quitting smoking within the next six months and another 13% (9.2%, 17.6%) said that they were prepared to quit within the next thirty days. From the same survey, over half (54% (47.9%, 60.1%) 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 2008, 26,633 Ontarians who smoked daily (ages 19+ years) entered the contest. Simcoe Muskoka had the second highest number of entries (2,119) in the province, just behind Toronto.