Nova Scotia Smoking Statistics   Nova Scotia Smoking Prevalence 1999 – 2001 (Detailed results can be accessed through Health Canada’s website - www.gosmokefree.ca/ctums) Age Group Smoking rate (%)CTUMS 1999 Smoking rate (%)CTUMS 2000 Smoking rate (%)CTUMS 2001 15+ 29 30 25 15 - 19 30 25 27 20 - 24 37 37 31 15 - 24 33 31 29 25+ 28 30 24 Source: Health Canada. CTUMS (Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey) Annual 1999, 2000 and 2001. Nova Scotia tobacco stats This year, approximately 1600 Nova Scotians will die from smoking related illnesses and 200 will die from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Nova Scotia 85% of all lung cancer cases in Nova Scotia are due to tobacco Food service workers have a 50% higher rate of lung cancer than the general population and second-hand tobacco smoke is the leading cause of workplace deaths. In 2002, youth smoking equal 23% according to the Nova Scotia Student Drug Survey. Tobacco costs Nova Scotia spends approximately $180 million a year to treat smoking related illnesses. When productivity losses due to premature death, disability, and absenteeism are added to medical costs, smoking costs Nova Scotia’s economy more than half a billion dollars per year. It cost employers approximately $268 million more per year to employ a smoker than a non-smoker in lost-on-the-job productivity, excess absenteeism, higher life insurance premiums, and smoking area costs. If 10% of Nova Scotians quit smoking, the province would save $1 billion over 30 years and save 92,000 life years. The annual cost of second hand tobacco smoke in the work place is estimated at $66 million. When one adds exposure to second hand tobacco smoke outside of the workplace, the costs increase to $82 million each year.
	Health Promotion Clearinghouse Toll Free 1-877-890-5094 Locally 494-1917 Fax 1-902-494-3594 Suite 209, City Centre Atlantic 1535 Dresden Row Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3T1 hpclearinghouse@dal.ca