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Smoking prevalence, quit attempts and successes
1Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa.
Health Reports
|December 16, 1998
Summary
Canadian smoking trends show a rise in teen smoking during the 1990s. Most former smokers quit due to health concerns, often going "cold turkey," while many daily smokers struggle to quit.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Canadian smoking rates have been tracked since 1966.
- Understanding quitting behaviors is crucial for public health interventions.
- Recent trends indicate shifts in smoking prevalence and cessation patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of Canadian smoking trends since 1966.
- To characterize daily smokers who have successfully quit.
- To identify characteristics of those who attempted to quit but continue daily smoking.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of time series smoking data from various surveys.
- Utilized Health Canada-sponsored supplement to the 1994/95 National Population Health Survey (NPHS).
- Examined data on individuals who tried to quit and those who successfully quit smoking.
Main Results:
- Teen smoking rates increased in the 1990s, contrasting overall trends.
- Approximately 16% of daily smokers recently quit.
- Health concerns were the primary motivator for quitting; most quit abruptly ('cold turkey').
- About 40% of daily smokers unsuccessfully attempted to quit within the past year.
Conclusions:
- Despite overall declines, adolescent smoking remains a concern.
- Health concerns are a significant driver for smoking cessation.
- Abrupt cessation ('cold turkey') is a common quitting method.
- A substantial proportion of daily smokers face challenges in quitting.