Grey Bruce Public Health is urging residents to butt out, as the region has a higher rate of tobacco use than the provincial and national average.
In 2019-20, about 16.6 per cent of Grey-Bruce respondents aged 12 and up reported smoking cigarettes daily. Overall in 2021, 10 per cent of Canadians reported smoking cigarettes on a regular basis.
Youth vaping is also an issue, after researchers found 13 per cent of youth aged 15 to 19 in Canada reporting having vaped at least once over the previous month.
“Smoking cigarettes and vaping both have serious health risks that are deeply concerning to Public Health,” said Dr. Rim Zayed, Physician Consultant at Grey Bruce Public Health. “Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of premature death and disease in Canada. Almost every organ in the body is impacted by cigarette smoke, which can contribute to chronic diseases from heart and lung diseases to cancers. The health harms of commercial tobacco can also impact non-smokers through second and third-hand smoke. Vapes and e-cigarettes, meanwhile, generate aerosols that contain potentially toxic substances, which can be harmful to a person’s health.”
National Non-Smoking Week runs until January 21. If anyone needs support to quit, help is available.
“Free cessation supports and resources are available through Family Health Teams and Health Centres (for rostered clients) and the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, as well as online through Stop on the Net and the Ottawa Community Model for Smoking Cessation,” according to public health.
