Prevalence of Smokers Considering Quitting, 1996 to 1997

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Abstract

Prevalence is measured as the proportion of daily smokers in each province who were considering quitting. Smoking is a health behaviour that deteriorates health. Smoking is the most important cause of preventable illness, disability and premature death.

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These provincial-level maps show, first, the prevalence of smoking and, second, the proportions of smokers considering quitting. Prevalence is measured as the proportion of all persons 12 years of age and older who smoked daily or occasionally in 1996 to 1997. The second map measures of the proportion of daily smokers who were considering quitting. In general, the two maps show an inverse relationship to each other. In provinces where smoking rates are high, as in Quebec and Newfoundland, intentions to alter behaviour or quit smoking are relatively low. Conversely, in provinces such as British Columbia and Ontario where the prevalence of smoking is relatively low, larger proportions of daily smokers were considering quitting in 1996 to 1997. Figure 1 re-enforces this observation.

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Figure 1. Provincial Relationships: Smoking Prevalence versus Considering Quitting

The relationships between smoking prevalence and considering quitting by educational attainment levels are illustrated in Figure 2. In 1996 to 1997, nearly 40% of Canadians with an educational level of less than high school graduation were found to be current smokers, with fairly substantial decreasing prevalence values associated with higher levels of education. The inverse pattern along this education continuum is reflected in the proportions of daily smokers intending to quit.

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Figure 2. Smoking Prevalence and Considering Quitting by Educational Attainment Levels