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Narrative
The smoking prevalence indicator estimates the age-standardized proportion of people age 12 years and older who are current smokers (daily or occasional cigarette smokers).
Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of premature death and illness in Ontario. Smoking accounts for approximately 13,000 deaths annually and results in a substantial burden on the health care system. 46
Public health units are key partners in the implementation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy (SFOS). The SFOS is focused on:
- Prevention - preventing children and youth from starting to use tobacco products
- Protection - eliminating involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke
- Cessation - motivating and supporting people to quit tobacco use
Locally, public health units lead the delivery of several programs involving youth engagement, local tobacco control coordination and enforcement of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA). 47
The goal of these public health programs and services is to reduce the burden of preventable chronic diseases of public health importance. Public health units are responsible for:
- increasing public awareness of the importance of comprehensive tobacco control
- working with priority populations to adopt tobacco-free living
- ensuring tobacco vendors are in compliance with the SFOA
- reducing youth access to tobacco products
Based on 36 public health units in Ontario, in 2007 the highest proportion of current smokers among people age 12 years and older was 34% and the lowest was 16%.
Indicator Definition
Definition:
The smoking prevalence indicator estimates the age-standardized proportion of people age 12 years and older who are current smokers (daily or occasional cigarette smokers).
- Current smoker - daily smoker or occasional smoker
- Daily smoker - smoking at least one cigarette per day
- Occasional smoker - does not have at least one cigarette per day
Data Source(s):
| Numerator: |
Canadian Community Health Survey 2007, Statistics Canada, Ontario Share File distributed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
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| Denominator: |
Canadian Community Health Survey 2007, Statistics Canada, Ontario Share File distributed by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
Formula:
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Weighted number of respondents age 12+ years who are current (daily + occasional) cigarette smokers
Weighted total number of respondents age 12+ years
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x 100 |
Notes:
- Numerator: SMK_DSTY= Daily Smoker (1) or Occasional Smoker (former daily smoker) (2) and Occasional Smoker (3)
- Denominator: SMK_DSTY= Daily (1), Occasional (2) Occasional (3) Former Daily Smoker (4) Former Occasional Smoker (5) and Never Smoker (6)
- Not Answered ((99), based on Don't Know, Refusals, and Not Stated to at least one of the questions) responses were excluded
- Age groups in years used for direct age-standardization: 12-19, 20-34, 35-49, 50-64, 65-74, 75+
- Direct age-standardization to the 1991 Canadian population
Data
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