Youth smoking in Ontario 1981-1997: A cause for concern

Abstract

Smoking among youth has widespread and long-term public health implications. Adolescent patterns of smoking often continue into adulthood, and cessation programs aimed at youth are frequently unsuccessful. Moreover, it is estimated that cigarette smoking will account for over 50% of deaths in Canada before the age of 70 for 15-year-old current smokers if they continue to smoke. The Ontario Tobacco Strategy, introduced in 1992 as part of the Ontario government's health reform agenda, set a goal to reduce the prevalence of smoking among 12-19 year olds in the province to 10% by the year 2000. This report presents trend data from two major school surveys on smoking among Ontario youth, discusses potential causal factors and outlines strategies to address this public health problem.