Smoking
Data sources: Canadian Community Health Survey 2000 and 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008, 2009 and 2010, 2011 and 2012, 2013 and 2014, Statistics Canada, Share File, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Sample: Residents 12 years and over in the KFL&A area.
Released: November 2015
All figures are for ages 12 years and over.
Type of Smoker |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Figure A. Type of smoker, KFL&A
|
|
Year |
Daily smokers
|
Occasional smokers |
Former smokers |
Never smokers |
|
2000 and 2001 |
20.9% (17.8, 24.4) |
3.5%* (2.5, 4.9) |
37.5% (33.5, 41.7) |
38.1% (34.5, 41.8) |
|
2003 |
19.2% (15.8, 23.2) |
6.6%* (4.5, 9.8) |
40.9% (36.7, 45.3) |
33.2% (29.6, 37.1) |
|
2005 |
17.8% (14.8, 21.3) |
4.6%* (3.0, 7.1) |
39.1% (35.4, 43.0) |
38.4% (34.4, 42.7) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
21.7% (18.4, 25.4) |
1.8%* (1.1, 2.9) |
40.1% (36.4, 43.9) |
36.5% (33.4, 39.7) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
15.5% (12.3, 19.3) |
2.5%* (1.4, 4.2) |
40.1% (35.5, 45.0) |
42.0% (37.4, 46.7) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
16.3% (12.5, 21.0) |
2.2%* (1.3, 3.9) |
38.8% (34.4, 43.4) |
42.7% (37.2, 48.3) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
16.5% (12.8, 21.1) |
4.1%* (2.7, 6.3) |
38.9% (34.6, 43.4) |
40.5% (35.2, 45.9) |
*Use with caution due to high variability
Interpretation for Figure A
In KFL&A in 2013 and 2014, 16.5% (12.8, 21.1) of those aged 12 years and over are daily smokers. There are no differences in types of smokers in KFL&A over the years.
Figure B. Type of smoker, 0ntario
Table B. Type of smoker, Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
Daily smokers
|
Occasional smokers |
Former smokers |
Never smokers |
|
2000 and 2001 |
20.1% (19.5, 20.7) |
4.4% (4.1, 4.8) |
35.4% (34.8, 36.0) |
40.1% (39.3, 40.9) |
|
2003 |
16.8% (16.3, 17.4) |
5.3% (5.0, 5.7) |
37.2% (36.5, 38.0) |
40.6% (39.9, 41.4) |
|
2005 |
15.8% (15.3, 16.4) |
5.0% (4.7, 5.4) |
36.7% (35.9, 37.5) |
42.5% (41.8, 43.2) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
15.9% (15.3, 16.5) |
4.4% (4.1, 4.8) |
35.0% (34.3, 35.7) |
44.7% (44.0, 45.5) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
14.4% (13.9, 15.0) |
4.5% (4.2, 4.9) |
34.6% (33.8, 35.4) |
46.4% (45.6, 47.3) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
14.0% (13.4, 14.6) |
4.7% (4.3, 5.1) |
34.5% (33.6, 35.5) |
46.8% (45.9, 47.7) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
13.1% (12.5, 13.6) |
4.5% (4.1, 4.9) |
34.6% (33.7, 35.5) |
47.8% (46.9, 48.7) |
Interpretation for Figure B
In Ontario in 2013 and 2014, 13.1% (12.5, 13.6) of those aged 12 years and over are daily smokers. The proportion of daily smokers in 2013 and 2014 is lower than that of 2009 and 2010 and years prior.
Current Smokers
Figure C. Current smokers, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014
Table C. Current smokers, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
KFL&A |
Ontario |
|
2000 and 2001 |
24.4% (21.4, 27.7) |
24.5% (23.9, 25.2) |
|
2003 |
25.8% (22.0, 30.0) |
22.2% (21.5, 22.8) |
|
2005 |
22.4% (19.0, 26.3) |
20.8% (20.2, 21.4) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
23.5% (20.1, 27.1) |
20.3% (19.7, 20.9) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
17.9% (14.5, 22.0) |
19.0% (18.3, 19.7) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
18.5% (14.5, 23.4) |
18.7% (18.0, 19.4) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
20.7% (16.6, 25.4) |
17.6% (16.9, 18.2) |
Interpretation for Figure C
Current smokers include both daily and occasional smokers. In 2013 and 2014, 20.7% (16.6, 25.4) of those aged 12 years and over in KFL&A are current smokers, and in Ontario, 17.6% (16.9, 18.2). The proportion of current smokers in 2013 and 2014 in Ontario is lower than that of 2009 and 2010 and years prior.
Current, former and never smokers, by age group
Figure D. Current, former and never smokers, by age group, 0ntario
Table D. Current, former and never smokers, by age group, Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Age Group |
Current smokers |
Former smokers |
Never smokers |
|
12 to 20 |
8.0% (6.9, 9.3) |
8.5% (7.4, 9.8) |
83.5% (81.8, 85.1) |
|
21 to 30 |
25.1% (23.1, 27.1) |
25.1% (23.0, 27.4) |
49.8% (47.4, 52.2) |
|
31 to 40 |
21.1% (19.3, 23.1) |
33.1% (30.9, 35.3) |
45.8% (43.4, 48.3) |
|
41 to 50 |
21.2% (19.2, 23.4) |
35.1% (32.7, 37.7) |
43.7% (41.1, 46.3) |
|
51 to 64 |
19.5% (18.2, 20.9) |
43.1% (41.1, 45.1) |
37.4% (35.4, 39.5) |
Interpretation for Figure D
The age group 21 to 30 years and over has the highest percentage of current smokers, 25.1% (23.1, 27.1).
Current smokers, by sex
Figure E. Current smokers, by sex, KFL&A
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Table E. Current smokers, by sex, KFL&A % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
Males |
Females |
|
2000 and 2001 |
27.3% (22.3, 32.9) |
21.7% (18.0, 25.9) |
|
2003 |
23.5% (18.0, 30.0) |
28.0% (22.9, 33.8) |
|
2005 |
23.0% (18.4, 28.4) |
22.0% (17.3, 27.5) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
28.8% (23.8, 34.4) |
18.5% (14.1, 23.9) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
21.0% (15.7, 27.5) |
15.1%* (10.5, 21.3) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
19.0% (13.8, 25.5) |
18.1% (13.0, 24.6) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
25.4% (18.9, 33.3) |
16.2% (11.9, 21.6) |
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Interpretation for Figure E
Current smokers include both daily and occasional smokers. There are no differences between male and female current smokers in KFL&A. There are also no trends over time.
Figure F. Current smokers, by sex, Ontario
Table F. Current smokers, by sex, Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
Males |
Females |
|
2000 and 2001 |
27.3% (26.3, 28.3) |
21.9% (21.0, 22.8) |
|
2003 |
24.8% (23.9, 25.8) |
19.6% (18.8, 20.4) |
|
2005 |
23.4% (22.5, 24.3) |
18.3% (17.6, 19.1) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
23.7% (22.7, 24.7) |
17.0% (16.3, 17.8) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
22.6% (21.5, 23.8) |
15.5% (10.9, 16.3) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
21.9% (20.8, 22.7) |
15.7% (14.8, 16.6) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
21.1% (20.1, 22.2) |
14.2% (13.5, 14.9) |
Interpretation for Figure F
Current smokers include both daily and occasional smokers. There are more male current smokers than female current smokers. Also, the percentages of both male current smokers than female current smokers are decreasing over time.
Current smokers, by income status
Figure G. Current smokers, by income status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Table G. Current smokers, by income status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Income group |
KFL&A |
Ontario |
|
Lower income |
30.4% (22.6, 39.6) |
22.0% (20.8, 23.4) |
|
Medium income |
19.4%* (13.3, 27.6) |
17.0% (16.0, 18.0) |
|
Higher income |
12.3%* (7.8, 19.0) |
14.1% (13.0, 15.2) |
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Interpretation for Figure G
In Ontario, the proportion of current smokers decreases as income increases.
Notes on the income groupings
The income variable was based on a derived income variable from the CCHS. This variable provided a distribution of respondents in deciles based on the adjusted ratio of their total household income to the low income cut-off corresponding to their household and community size. It provides, for each respondent, a relative measure of their household income to the household incomes of all other respondents. The income variables used in this report were determined as follows: the lowest 3 deciles of the derived variable from CCHS were categorized into 'Lower Income', the middle 4 deciles were categorized into 'Middle Income' and the highest 3 deciles were categorized into 'Higher Income'.
Current smokers, by urban and rural status
Figure H. Current smokers, by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Table H. Current smokers, by urban and rural status, KFL&A and Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Urban and Rural status |
KFL&A |
Ontario |
|
Urban |
19.7% (15.0, 25.3) |
17.1% (16.4, 17.9) |
|
Rural |
22.4%* (15.3, 31.5) |
20.0% (18.5, 21.5) |
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Interpretation for Figure H
In Ontario, there was a higher proportion of current smokers in rural areas than urban areas.
Age at first whole cigarette smoked
Figure I. Age at first whole cigarette smoked, KFL&A, 2013 and 2014
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Table I. Age at first whole cigarette smoked, KFL&A, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
15 and under |
16 to 17 |
18 to 20 |
21 years and over |
|
2000 and 2001 |
50.9% (46.0, 55.8) |
25.1% (21.2, 29.3) |
16.8% (13.0, 21.4) |
7.3% (5.3, 10.0) |
|
2003 |
51.6% (46.4, 56.6) |
24.4% (20.1, 29.2) |
17.4% (14.2, 21.2) |
6.6%* (4.4, 9.9) |
|
2005 |
54.0% (48.8, 59.1) |
20.2% (16.2, 24.8) |
18.5% (14.9, 22.6) |
7.4% (5.3, 10.1) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
52.4% (47.7, 57.1) |
20.7% (16.8, 25.3) |
18.4% (15.3, 21.9) |
8.4% (6.1, 11.5) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
48.7% (41.8, 55.7) |
24.9% (18.5, 32.7) |
17.9% (14.3, 22.3) |
8.4%* (6.0, 11.7) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
48.7% (42.2, 55.2) |
19.1% (14.5, 24.8) |
22.8% (17.5, 29.1) |
9.4% (6.9, 12.8) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
44.6% (38.6, 50.8) |
22.9% (1.08, 28.7) |
22.3% (17.7, 27.6) |
10.2%* (7.1, 14.5) |
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Interpretation for Figure I
Almost 90% of smokers had their first whole cigarette at age 20 and under. In KFL&A in 2013 and 2014, 44.6% (38.6, 50.8) of smokers had their first whole cigarette at age 15 and under.
Figure J. Age at first whole cigarette smoked, Ontario, 2013 and 2014
Table J. Age at first whole cigarette smoked, Ontario, 2013 and 2014, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
15 and under |
16 to 17 |
18 to 20 |
21 years and over |
|
2000 and 2001 |
48.7% (47.8, 49.7) |
22.7% (21.9, 23.5) |
18.9% (18.1, 19.7) |
9.7% (9.2, 10.3) |
|
2003 |
48.2% (47.2, 49.2) |
22.3% (21.6, 23.0) |
19.6% (18.8, 20.4) |
9.9% (9.4, 10.6) |
|
2005 |
47.5% (46.5, 48.4) |
23.6% (22.7, 24.4) |
19.2% (18.4, 20.1) |
9.8% (9.1, 10.4) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
47.4% (46.4, 48.4) |
23.1% (22.2, 23.9) |
19.7% (18.9, 20.5) |
9.8% (9.2, 10.4) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
45.1% (44.0, 46.1) |
24.4% (23.4, 25.4) |
20.2% (19.3, 21.2) |
10.3% (9.6, 11.2) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
44.6% (43.4, 45.8) |
24.1% (23.1, 25.2) |
21.2% (20.1, 22.2) |
10.1% (9.3, 10.9) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
43.1% (41.9, 44.2) |
24.0% (23.1, 25.0) |
22.7% (21.7, 23.7) |
10.2% (9.5, 11.0) |
Interpretation for Figure J
Almost 90% of smokers had their first whole cigarette at age 20 and under. In Ontario in 2013 and 2014, 43.1% (41.9, 44.2) of smokers had their first whole cigarette at age 15 and under.
Age daily smokers began smoking
Figure K: Age daily smokers began smoking, by age group, KFL&A
*Use with caution due to high variability.
NR: not releasable due to small numbers.
Table K: Age daily smokers began smoking, by age group, KFL&A, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
15 and under |
16 to 17 |
18 to 20 |
21 years and over |
|
2000 and 2001 |
33.2% (25.8, 41.5) |
19.5% (14.4, 25.9) |
31.7% (24.4, 40.0) |
15.6%* (10.4, 22.7) |
|
2003 |
36.0% (27.2, 46.0) |
24.1% (17.3, 32.5) |
28.2% (19.9, 38.3) |
11.7%* (7.0, 18.9) |
|
2005 |
27.0% (19.3, 36.5) |
32.0% (23.5, 41.9) |
27.4% (19.7, 36.8) |
13.5%* (8.3, 21.2) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
32.7% (23.2, 43.9) |
23.1%* (15.9, 32.3) |
29.9% (21.3, 40.1) |
14.3%* (8.5, 23.0) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
26.1%* (16.8, 38.3) |
29.6%* (17.6, 45.3) |
30.6%* (18.8, 45.7) |
13.6%* (8.0, 22.3) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
36.1%* (24.1, 50.0) |
22.6%* (14.2, 34.0) |
27.3%* (17.3, 40.5) |
NR |
|
2013 and 2014 |
35.2%* (24.5, 47.7) |
20.2%* (12.5, 31.0) |
21.8%* (12.8, 34.6) |
22.8%* (11.6, 40.1) |
*Use with caution due to high variability.
NR: not releasable due to small numbers.
Interpretation for Figure K
Almost 90% of smokers started daily smoking at age 20 and under. In KFL&A in 2013 and 2014, 35.2%* (24.5, 47.7) of smokers started daily smoking at age 15 and under.
*Use with caution due to high variability.
Figure L: Age daily smokers began smoking, by age group, Ontario
Table L: Age daily smokers began smoking, by age group, Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
15 and under |
16 to 17 |
18 to 20 |
21 years and over |
|
2000 and 2001 |
29.9% (28.5, 31.4) |
27.6% (26.3, 29.0) |
26.5% (25.0, 28.0) |
16.0% (14.7, 17.4) |
|
2003 |
28.4% (26.8, 29.9) |
25.9% (24.4, 27.6) |
27.7% (26.1, 29.4) |
18.0% (16.6, 19.5) |
|
2005 |
29.8% (28.2, 31.4) |
26.8% (25.1, 28.5) |
26.4% (24.9, 28.0) |
17.1% (15.7, 18.5) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
30.1% (28.4, 32.0) |
25.2% (23.6, 26.9) |
27.3% (25.5, 29.1) |
17.4% (15.9, 18.9) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
27.8% (25.9, 29.7) |
24.9% (23.3, 26.7) |
28.7% (26.7, 30.7) |
18.6% (16.9, 20.5) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
26.2% (24.2, 28.3) |
26.6% (24.3, 28.9) |
29.5% (27.1, 31.9) |
17.8% (15.4, 20.3) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
27.6% (25.6, 29.7) |
24.4% (22.3, 26.5) |
29.8% (27.6, 32.0) |
18.3% (16.3, 20.4) |
Interpretation for Figure L
Over 90% of smokers started daily smoking at age 20 and under. In Ontario in 2013 and 2014, 27.6% (25.6, 29.7) of smokers started daily smoking at age 15 and under.
Figure M. Average age daily smokers began smoking, KFL&A and Ontario
Table M. Average age daily smokers began smoking, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
KFL&A |
Ontario |
|
2000 and 2001 |
17.6 (16.9, 18.2) |
17.8 (17.6, 17.9) |
|
2003 |
17.9 (16.6, 19.1) |
18.0 (17.8, 18.2) |
|
2005 |
17.5 (16.9, 18.1) |
17.9 (17.7, 18.1) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
17.0 (16.3, 17.7) |
17.9 (17.7, 18.1) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
17.7 (16.9, 18.5) |
18.3 (18.0, 18.5) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
17.6 (16.5, 18.8) |
18.2 (17.9, 18.4) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
17.8 (16.5, 19.2) |
18.1 (17.9, 18.4) |
Interpretation for Figure M
In KFL&A in 2013 and 2014, the average age daily smokers began smoking was 17.8 years, which is comparable to Ontario at 18.1 years.
Number of cigarettes smoked daily by daily smokers
Figure N. Number of cigarettes smoked daily by daily smokers, in Ontario
Table N. Number of cigarettes smoked daily by daily smokers, in Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
10 cigarettes or less |
11 to 19 cigarettes |
10 to 25 cigarettes |
26 or more cigarettes |
|
2000 and 2001 |
32.3% (30.7, 33.8) |
27.6% (26.2, 29.0) |
34.3% (32.9, 35.8) |
5.8% (5.2, 6.6) |
|
2003 |
36.1% (34.3, 38.0) |
26.5% (25.1, 28.1) |
32.8% (31.1, 34.6) |
4.5% (3.8, 5.4) |
|
2005 |
35.7% (34.1, 37.4) |
28.5% (26.9, 30.1) |
31.2% (29.7, 32.8) |
4.6% (3.8, 5.4) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
39.3% (37.3, 41.4) |
26.8% (25.2, 28.5) |
29.9% (28.2, 31.7) |
3.9% (3.4, 4.5) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
41.3% (39.2, 43.4) |
24.8% (23.1, 26.6) |
30.2% (28.3, 32.3) |
3.7% (3.0, 4.5) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
43.0% (40.7, 45.3) |
25.1% (23.1, 27.2) |
27.6% (25.4, 29.8) |
4.4% (3.3, 5.9) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
39.3% (36.9, 41.7) |
25.7% (23.8, 27.7) |
30.5% (28.3, 32.6) |
4.6% (3.6, 5.9) |
Interpretation for Figure N
Over the years a higher percentage of daily smokers smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day. There has been a significant decrease in the mean number of cigarettes smoked by daily smokers.
Figure O. Average number of daily cigarettes smoked by daily smokers, KFL&A and Ontario
Table O. Average number of daily cigarettes smoked by daily smokers, KFL&A and Ontario, % (95% confidence interval)
|
Year |
KFL&A |
Ontario |
|
2000 and 2001 |
18.1 (16.3, 19.9) |
16.2 (16.0, 16.5) |
|
2003 |
17.7 (15.7, 19.8) |
15.5 (15.1, 15.8) |
|
2005 |
14.1 (12.7, 15.4) |
15.3 (15.0, 15.6) |
|
2007 and 2008 |
15.9 (14.4, 17.4) |
14.7 (14.3, 15.0) |
|
2009 and 2010 |
15.4 (13.4, 17.3) |
14.5 (14.1, 14.9) |
|
2011 and 2012 |
16.4 (13.7, 19.1) |
14.4 (14.0, 14.8) |
|
2013 and 2014 |
14.8 (12.9, 16.8) |
14.9 (14.5, 15.3) |
Interpretation for Figure O
In KFL&A in 2013 and 2014, the average number of cigarettes smoked daily was 14.8 cigarettes, which is comparable to Ontario at 14.9 cigarettes. In Ontario, the average number of cigarettes smoked daily has been decreasing. In Ontario in 2000 and 2001, the average number of cigarettes smoked daily by daily smokers was 16.2 (16.0, 16.5) and in 2013 and 2014, it was lower at 14.9 (14.5, 15.3).
Confidence intervals explained
Researchers look at the "confidence levels" of percentages being compared to decide if there is a statistically significant difference between percentages. If the 95% confidence intervals of two estimates do not overlap, there is considered to be a significant difference between the estimates. A statistically significant difference means that:
- the difference between two percentages is unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, and
- there is likely a true difference or change in the percentages.
In this report, 95% confidence intervals will accompany each percentage in all figures and tables. The true or actual percentage falls within the 95% confidence interval range 95 times out of 100. A wide confidence interval reflects a large amount of variability or imprecision. Usually, the larger the sample size, the narrower the confidence intervals. In tables, the 95% confidence intervals will be written with the percentage, followed by the 95% confidence interval range in brackets, e.g., 25.3% (12.3, 32.4). In figures, the 95% confidence interval are represented by error bars at the top of each bar (column).