The annual Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey released it’s data for 2009, which shows that Alberta smoking rates are at an all-time low.
Only 18% of people in the province, aged 15 and up, are smokers – a percentage equivalent to the national average.
The percentage means there has been a decrease in the number of smokers since 2007 – 57,000 less – equivalent to St. Albert’s Population.
Since 2007, the Alberta government has been taking action to try and reduce the number of smokers in the province. These measures include raising tobacco taxes by $1 a pack, banning smoking in almost all public areas and work places, banning retail tobacco displays, and stopping the sale of tobacco from pharmacies, health-care settings, and post-secondary institutions.
"The combined efforts of the Alberta government and health organizations to reduce tobacco use are having the desired effect" said Tony Hudson, President of The Lung Association of Alberta/NWT. "However we can’t rest on our achievements or we could lose the momentum that took decades to achieve. We need to focus our efforts on keeping kids tobacco-free including more measures to curb tobacco marketing to youth".
Youth aged 15-24 remains at an alarming rate – the same level as the overall average. Health groups insist this is because tobacco companies continue to target youth.
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