Provincial Smoking and Quit Stats

• According to StatsCan ‘s Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Approximately 17.4% of approximately 671,774 British Columbians continue to smoke.

According to the BC Tobacco Attitudes & Behaviour Survey Report:

•  In 2008, 48 percent of people in BC who smoke (263,850) attempted to quit unsuccessfully
• More than 81 percent of current smokers in B.C. have tried to quit in the past, averaging seven quit attempts
• Seventy-seven per cent of smokers are concerned about the impact their smoking will have on their long-term health, and when asked why they would quit, future health concerns topped the list.
• Further, the vast majority of B.C.’s smokers (88 per cent) believe that quitting—despite being difficult—is possible.
• The highest rate of quit attempts was among 20 to 24 year-olds (68.3 per cent).
•  The lowest rate of quit attempts was among 45 to 64 year-olds (45.9 per cent).
• There is no difference in the percentage of quit attempts by gender. 48.5 per cent of both males and females have tried to quit smoking.