More than 46,000 people in Canada die because of tobacco use every year. Through Canada's Tobacco Strategy, the Government of Canada is working to save lives and significantly reduce the number of Canadians who smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products from the current rate of 12% to less than 5% of the population by 2035.
Today, the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, tabled the results of the second legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) in Parliament. This review will help to monitor the progress made in reducing tobacco use and its harms throughout the country. It complements the first review which focused on the TVPA's vaping-related provisions, tabled in Parliament in December 2022.
Overall, the results of the legislative review show that progress has been made in reducing tobacco-related death and disease in Canada. For example, youth smoking rates were at an all-time low of 1.6% in 2022. However, some communities and regions continue to have disproportionately high rates of tobacco use with some populations experiencing smoking rates of over 60%. The review identifies potential action areas including prioritizing First Nations, Inuit and Métis engagement, cooperation and reconciliation; addressing barriers to cessation; strengthening enforcement; increasing transparency; addressing industry interference; and ensuring the legislative framework is responsive to modern realities.
The Government of Canada remains committed to working collaboratively with partners and key stakeholders to protect Canadians from the harms of smoking and nicotine addiction using the best available data and evidence.
