Smoking remains one of the most closely tracked public health indicators in Canada, and the question of how many people smoke cigarettes in Canada comes up every time new federal survey data is released. The short answer: roughly one in nine Canadians aged 15 and older still smokes cigarettes, which works out to close to 3.8 million people. That figure is dramatically lower than it was a generation ago, yet the decline has slowed in recent years, and smoking habits vary widely by age, gender, and province. Below, we break down the latest numbers, long-term trends, and what they reveal about Canadian smokers today.
The Quick Answer: Canada’s Current Smoking Population
According to the most recent Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS) published by Health Canada and Statistics Canada, approximately 12% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported smoking cigarettes either daily or occasionally. With Canada’s population in that age bracket sitting at roughly 32 million people, this translates into an estimated 3.6 to 3.8 million current smokers nationwide. You can explore the full dataset through Health Canada’s smoking statistics Canada resource page.
| Indicator | Latest Figure (Ages 15+) |
|---|---|
| Current smokers (daily + occasional) | About 12% (≈3.8 million people) |
| Daily smokers | About 8% |
| Occasional smokers | About 4% |
| Average cigarettes per day (daily smokers) | Roughly 12–13 |
| Former smokers | Over 25% of adults |
| Federal target by 2035 | Less than 5% tobacco use |
Figures are rounded and based on the latest available national survey cycles. Because sample sizes and survey methods change slightly from year to year, Health Canada advises treating small year-over-year shifts with caution.
Smoking Rates by Age Group
Age is the single strongest predictor of whether a Canadian smokes. Youth smoking has collapsed to historic lows, while adults in their 40s and 50s remain the most likely to light up. The following table summarizes the general pattern seen across recent surveys:
| Age Group | Approx. Smoking Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 15–19 years | 2–3% | Record low, vaping now more common |
| 20–24 years | 7–9% | Declining steadily |
| 25–44 years | 12–14% | Slow decline |
| 45–64 years | 14–16% | Highest prevalence |
| 65+ years | 8–9% | Stable to declining |
In other words, the “typical” Canadian smoker today is a middle-aged adult who started decades ago, not a teenager picking up the habit. This demographic shift has major implications for retailers, public health planners, and the long-term outlook for national smoking rates.
Men vs. Women
Men continue to smoke at higher rates than women in Canada. Recent data put male smoking prevalence at roughly 14% compared with about 10% for women. The gender gap has narrowed since the 1960s, when more than 60% of Canadian men smoked, but it has never fully closed. Men are also more likely to be daily smokers and to consume more cigarettes per day.
Smoking Rates by Province and Territory
Where you live in Canada makes a noticeable difference. Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and the Prairies consistently report above-average smoking rates, while British Columbia and Ontario sit below the national figure. The territories, particularly Nunavut, record the highest rates in the country by a wide margin.
| Region | Approx. Smoking Rate | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 15–17% | Above |
| Saskatchewan | 14–16% | Above |
| New Brunswick / Nova Scotia | 13–15% | Above |
| Quebec | 12–14% | Slightly above |
| Manitoba / Alberta | 11–13% | Near average |
| Ontario | 9–11% | Below |
| British Columbia | 8–10% | Lowest among provinces |
| Territories (Nunavut, NWT, Yukon) | 25–50%+ | Far above |
Provincial differences reflect a mix of income levels, rural versus urban populations, tobacco tax rates, and the strength of local cessation programs. Ontario, with Canada’s largest population, still accounts for the greatest absolute number of smokers, more than one million, even though its rate is below the national average.
How Canadian Smoking Rates Have Changed Over Time
Canada’s smoking story is one of the most dramatic public health shifts of the past century. In 1965, roughly half of all Canadians aged 15 and over smoked. Today it is closer to one in nine. The table below highlights key milestones:
| Year | Approx. Smoking Rate (15+) | Key Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | ≈50% | Peak of cigarette consumption in Canada |
| 1985 | ≈35% | First major health warning labels |
| 1999 | ≈25% | Launch of the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey |
| 2012 | ≈16% | Graphic warnings cover 75% of packs |
| 2019 | ≈12% | Plain packaging introduced nationwide |
| 2021–2022 | ≈10–12% | Decline plateaus; vaping rises among youth |
| 2035 (target) | <5% | Goal set under Canada’s Tobacco Strategy |
For a deeper look at the long-term data series, Health Canada maintains an archive of historical cigarette use in Canada covering 1999 through 2012, which pairs well with the newer CTNS releases.
Why Have Smoking Rates Fallen So Far?
- Taxation: Federal and provincial excise duties have pushed the retail price of a carton well above $100 in most provinces, making Canada one of the most expensive places in the world to buy cigarettes.
- Packaging rules: Canada pioneered graphic health warnings and, more recently, plain packaging and individual warnings printed on each cigarette.
- Smoke-free laws: Bans on smoking in restaurants, bars, workplaces, vehicles with children, and many outdoor spaces have reduced social opportunities to smoke.
- Cessation support: Every province offers free or subsidized quitlines, nicotine replacement therapy, and counselling.
- Cultural change: Smoking has shifted from a mainstream social norm to a largely private activity among a shrinking group of committed smokers.
What Kinds of Cigarettes Do Canadian Smokers Choose?
Beyond the headline numbers, survey and sales data reveal clear preferences among Canadian smokers. Because flavoured cigarettes (other than menthol in limited cases) are banned federally, the market is organized mainly around strength and format rather than flavour.
- Full flavour remains the top-selling category, particularly among long-term daily smokers over 45. Browse popular full flavour cigarettes to see the formats most commonly stocked.
- Light and ultra light blends attract smokers who prefer a smoother draw, and they are more popular with women than men. A wide range of light cigarettes is available in both 20-pack and king size 25-pack formats.
- Menthol continues to hold a loyal following, especially in Ontario and Quebec, among those who have switched to menthol-style options still sold in certain channels. See current menthol cigarettes options.
- King size 25-packs are a distinctly Canadian preference; the 25-cigarette pack is far more common here than in the United States.
- Value brands have grown steadily as prices climb, with more smokers choosing budget-friendly Canadian cigarettes over premium international labels.
Popular Formats Among Canadian Smokers
| Format | Typical Buyer | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 20/Pack regular | Everyday daily smokers | Canadian Classics Original (20/Pack) |
| King size 25/Pack | Heavier smokers seeking value per cigarette | Canadian Goose Full (King Size 25/Pack) |
| Menthol 20/Pack | Smokers preferring a cooling finish | Canadian Menthol (20/Pack) |
| Bulk cartons | Households buying for the month | Mix & Match – Pick Any 50 Cartons |
The Cost Factor: Taxes and Cigarette Prices in Canada
Price is a major reason the number of Canadians who smoke keeps falling. Federal excise duty on cigarettes is adjusted for inflation every April, and provinces layer their own tobacco taxes on top. The result is that a single pack of 20 can cost anywhere from about $14 in Quebec to more than $20 in parts of Atlantic Canada and the territories. Current rates are published by the Canada Revenue Agency under Canadian cigarette excise tax schedules.
Rising costs have reshaped buying behaviour in three visible ways:
- A clear shift toward value-priced brands and discount lines.
- Greater interest in buying by the carton or in bulk to lower the per-pack cost.
- Growth in online ordering, especially among smokers in rural areas or smaller communities with limited retail options.
Health Impact and Canada’s Tobacco Strategy
Even with fewer than 4 million smokers, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in Canada, linked to roughly 46,000 to 48,000 deaths every year according to Health Canada’s review of the health effects of smoking. That burden is the driving force behind Canada’s tobacco strategy, which aims to bring tobacco use below 5% of the population by 2035.
Reaching that goal would require the number of smokers to fall by well over half within a decade. Progress reports suggest the country is ahead of schedule among youth but behind among adults aged 45 and older, which is why cessation support for long-term smokers has become a priority.
Key Takeaways on Smoking in Canada
- Approximately 12% of Canadians aged 15+ smoke cigarettes, about 3.8 million people.
- Roughly two-thirds of smokers smoke daily, averaging 12 to 13 cigarettes per day.
- Smoking is most common among adults aged 45–64 and least common among teens.
- Men smoke more than women, and rates are highest in the territories and Atlantic provinces.
- Prevalence has dropped from about 50% in 1965 to around 12% today.
- Full flavour and light cigarettes in 20 and 25-packs dominate Canadian preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Canadians smoke cigarettes daily?
About 8% of Canadians aged 15 and older smoke every day, representing roughly 2.5 million people. The remaining current smokers, about 4% of the population, smoke occasionally rather than daily.
Which province has the most smokers?
By percentage, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan typically rank highest among provinces, while Nunavut has the highest rate overall. By total number of smokers, Ontario leads simply because of its large population.
Is smoking still declining in Canada?
Yes, but more slowly than in the 2000s. Youth smoking continues to drop sharply, while adult rates have been relatively flat at 10% to 12% over the past several survey cycles. Some of the recent plateau reflects the shift of young nicotine users toward vaping rather than cigarettes.
How does Canada compare internationally?
Canada has one of the lowest smoking rates among G7 nations, below France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and roughly on par with the United States and the United Kingdom. Australia and Sweden are among the few comparable countries with lower prevalence.
Where can Canadian adults buy cigarettes online?
Adult smokers across the country increasingly turn to online smoke shops for convenience and price. SmokeKing is a trusted Canadian online smoke shop offering a wide selection of cigarette and tobacco brands, secure ordering, and reliable delivery to customers throughout Canada, with a focus on competitive pricing and dependable service.
Understanding how many people smoke cigarettes in Canada is more than a statistic; it is a window into shifting demographics, pricing pressures, and public policy. While the overall trend points firmly downward, millions of Canadian adults still smoke, and their preferences for strength, format, and value continue to shape the market. For the latest official figures, Health Canada’s Canadian tobacco statistics hub is updated as each new survey cycle is released.
