Smoking in Canada
In Canada, smoking is allowed but regulated. Under these regulations, cigarettes can be sold, purchased online, used, and bought from vending machines. The importation of cigarettes for trade is permitted with a trade license. Health warnings are required on cigarette packaging, the minimum legal age for sales is 18 years, and there are legal restrictions on smoking in public places. Cigarettes are subject to an excise value of 54% and a total taxation rate of 63%. Available data show that smoking remains a significant public health issue in Canada. In 2024, there were approximately 3.5 million current smokers aged 15 years and older. This shows that the adult current smoking prevalence was 10.6% in 2024, including 13.1% among males and 8.1% among females. In comparison, this prevalence was 11.4% in 2022. For reference, the number of daily smokers was also about 3.5 million in 2017 which shows that the adult daily tobacco smoking prevalence was 11.6%, with 19.1% among males and 13.4% among females. In 2021, smoking led to 34,171 deaths in Canada, including 20,700 deaths among males and 13,471 among females. This indicates that smoking accounted for 11% of all deaths in 2021 in the country, including 12.8% of male deaths and 9.04% of female deaths.
Read articles from Canada
November 26, 2025 by thefirebreak.org
What I Saw at the FCTC COP11 on Tobacco Control
Maria Papaioannoy, a Canadian advocate for safer nicotine products, exposes the FCTC's closed-door decision-making at COP11, resembling a belief-driven system. GATC enforces FCTC policies aggressively. Concerns arise as policies seem to protect tobacco, hindering harm reduction. Canada is being used as a testing ground, shifting focus to nicotine control. Provinces like British Columbia and Quebec are influenced, impacting public health. Advocates call for transparency, evidence-based choices, and respect for experiences with safer nicotine products. The push for dialogue, advocacy, and empowerment against restrictive policies marks the beginning of a movement for safer choices worldwide.
November 19, 2025 by canadianaffairs.news
WHO chief urges clampdown on nicotine products aimed at kids
The WHO warns about new tobacco products targeting youth, leading to addiction. Despite progress, eight million still die from tobacco-related diseases yearly. Marketing e-cigarettes and nicotine products to teens is concerning, with usage nine times higher in adolescents than adults in 63 countries. Companies prioritize profits over public health. The WHO urges countries to regulate these products like traditional tobacco, with bans in some nations and strict controls recommended globally.
November 17, 2025 by winnipegsun.com
GOLDBERG: Governments must target the black market, not legal vendors, to crack down on youth vaping
Policymakers throughout Canada have valid reasons to be concerned about vapes reaching vulnerable youth. The illicit market continues to grow nationwide, prompting many governments to take action. In their 2025 budgets, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan each allocated funds to combat contraband tobacco and tackle the broader illicit market.
November 05, 2025 by torontosun.com
GOLDBERG: Health Canada twists itself into pretzels to defy common sense
Health Canada is struggling to justify its decision to keep nicotine pouches out of convenience stores and restrict their sale to pharmacies. During a committee hearing, Deputy Health Minister Greg Orencsak acknowledged that the products were initially approved as a “less harmful” alternative to smoking and that Health Canada remains committed to helping Canadians quit. Despite this, the agency continues to support former health minister Mark Holland’s order requiring nicotine pouches to be sold only in pharmacies, limiting access to this effective smoking cessation aid.
October 21, 2025 by timescolonist.com
Editorial: We must admit the risks of vaping and take action
Attorney General Niki Sharma says the vaping industry is misleading young people through its advertising and packaging. British Columbia has already won a $3.6 billion settlement from tobacco companies over 18 years and now plans similar legal action against vaping firms. The structure of the lawsuit and the health-care costs linked to vaping are still being determined. While manufacturers claim vaping helps smokers quit tobacco, Sharma argues that because e-cigarettes contain addictive nicotine, they merely replace one harmful habit with another.
October 17, 2025 by gfn.tv
GFN Voices 2025 #15 | HOW CANADA IS FIGHTING FOR TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION?
Maria Papaioannoy-Duic, founder and spokesperson of Rights for Vapers, speaks with Joanna Junak about the challenges Canadian vapers face in being heard in public health debates. Maria shares how her organization has worked tirelessly to educate consumers on safer nicotine alternatives, fight misinformation, and give a voice to those seeking harm reduction over prohibition.
October 16, 2025 by globalnews.ca
Alberta students, doctors want federal ban on flavoured e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches
Albertan groups are urging federal health ministers to ban all flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in Canada to deter youth vaping. Despite promises since 2021, the government has not implemented the ban. Concerns are raised about the popularity of vaping among students, prompting advocacy groups like SAAVE and Action on Smoking and Health to seek direct discussions with ministers at the upcoming meeting in Calgary. The focus is on protecting young Canadians from the allure of flavored vaping products.
September 25, 2025 by nbmediacoop.org
Nicotine pouch restriction makes quitting harder for workers
Michael, a 32-year-old construction worker from Saint John, struggled with smoking until finding success with nicotine pouches. Despite their effectiveness, Canadian regulations restricting access to them caused inconvenience and hindered efforts to quit smoking. Michael argues that limiting safer alternatives like pouches disproportionately affects working-class individuals and perpetuates addiction rather than promoting public health. He highlights the importance of supporting harm reduction strategies in reducing smoking-related health issues. Michael calls on MPs to overturn the ban on nicotine pouches, emphasizing the need for sensible health policies that prioritize people's well-being over moral judgments.
September 22, 2025 by cbc.ca
Health officials trying to tackle massive and 'tragic' use of vapes among teens
Local health officials are concerned about the increasing trend of teen vaping, with some young people even turning to cigarettes to curb their high-potency nicotine addiction. Issues of vaping on school premises are widespread, with many students facing warnings and fines. The deceptive marketing of vapes, coupled with the high nicotine content, poses risks of addiction and health problems. Efforts are being made to combat youth vaping rates through education, enforcement, and regulation. It is crucial for parents to educate their children early on the dangers of vaping. The complex intervention approach involves multiple strategies to address the issue effectively. Despite regulations, online sales of vapes and discreet product designs remain challenges for enforcement.
September 22, 2025 by cbc.ca
Health officials trying to tackle massive and 'tragic' use of vapes among teens
Local health officials are concerned about the increasing trend of teen vaping, with some young people even turning to cigarettes to curb their high-potency nicotine addiction. Issues of vaping on school premises are widespread, with many students facing warnings and fines. The deceptive marketing of vapes, coupled with the high nicotine content, poses risks of addiction and health problems. Efforts are being made to combat youth vaping rates through education, enforcement, and regulation. It is crucial for parents to educate their children early on the dangers of vaping. The complex intervention approach involves multiple strategies to address the issue effectively. Despite regulations, online sales of vapes and discreet product designs remain challenges for enforcement.