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In 2023, the provinces with the highest share of the population that were current smokers were Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. In Newfoundland and Labrador, an estimated 15.4 percent of the population smoked at that time, while the national average for Canada was around 11 percent. Smoking increases the risk of a number of health problems, including heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many types of cancer. 

How many Canadians smoke?

In 2023, it was estimated that around 3.56 million people in Canada smoked daily or occasionally. Smoking in Canada is more common among males than females, however, rates of smoking have decreased for both over the past decade. In 2023, around 13 percent of males were current smokers compared to 10 percent of females. Cigarettes remain the most popular form of tobacco consumption in Canada, followed by vaping and little cigars or cigarillos.

Quitting smoking

Smoking is addictive and can be extremely difficult to quit. In 2022, around 11 percent of smokers in Canada attempted quitting once in the past 12 months, while a further 12 percent tried quitting three to four times, and 8 percent tried four or more times. At that time, around 26 percent of those who tried quitting used nicotine replacement products, however, most simply tried to quit on their own. To help reduce smoking in Canada, around 40 percent of smokers think the government should make stop smoking clinics, services, and products freely available, but only 21 percent are in favor of raising the legal age to buy tobacco and other nicotine products to 21.