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Can Canada Achieve a Smokeless Future by 2035?
Canada is aiming for one of the world's most ambitious public health goals: to reduce cigarette use to less than 5% of the population by 2035. However, recent statistics indicate that the country is currently falling short of this target, with approximately 12% of Canadians still smoking. Alarmingly, there has been a recent rise in the number of smokers between 2023 and 2024, marking a significant shift after a decade of decline.
Experts across the health spectrum recognize the urgency of this situation. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in Canada, claiming around 45,000 lives annually and incurring costs exceeding $16 billion. With an increase in illegal and unregulated nicotine products available on the market, traditional efforts to curb smoking are being undermined by the easy access and safety concerns these products bring to both adults and youth.
Pivotal Strategies for Tobacco Control
The Government of Canada initiated a comprehensive Tobacco Strategy to combat this issue, requiring alignment among various players, including health organizations, policymakers, and communities. This strategy is not merely about reducing access; it involves a holistic approach that provides cessation support and promotes harm reduction through less harmful nicotine alternatives.
For the strategy to be effective, cooperation across multiple sectors is crucial. Community engagement, effective law enforcement against contraband products, and increased access to cessation services must become a collective responsibility. For instance, those with higher-than-average smoking rates, including Indigenous populations and certain professionals, may require tailored interventions to ensure that no group is left behind in this important public health initiative.
The Future Depends on Collective Action
The call for a unified approach to achieving a smokeless Canada by 2035 is imperative. The challenge lies not only in changing public policies but in altering perceptions and behaviors around tobacco use. Without concerted effort and realignment of existing strategies, the ambitious target of less than 5% tobacco use may remain elusive. The need for collective action has never been more urgent as we not only work toward public health goals but also strive to reduce the social and economic burden of tobacco in Canada.
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