Canada's tobacco decline overshadowed by rising youth vaping crisis

Tobacco use in Canada has dropped sharply over the last 26 years, with five million fewer people now consuming it. Yet health experts warn that vaping is creating a new problem, particularly among young people. A recent two-day roundtable discussed ways to cut nicotine use ahead of World No Tobacco Day.

Health organisations are pushing for stricter rules on vaping products. They want flavour bans, stronger health warnings, and an end to online sales. The concern is that vaping introduces nicotine to young brains, making them more likely to start smoking cigarettes later.

Les Hagen, head of Action on Smoking and Health, highlighted a worrying trend: nicotine use has surged among Canadians under 25. Despite progress in reducing tobacco use, vaping rates in this age group continue to climb. The roundtable brought together experts to tackle the issue. Their goal is ambitious—reducing overall nicotine use to below five per cent by 2045. The discussions focused on tighter regulations to prevent youth addiction and reverse the rise in vaping.

Canada has made significant progress in cutting tobacco use, but vaping now poses a fresh challenge. Health groups are calling for urgent action to protect young people from nicotine addiction. The proposed measures aim to curb access and reduce long-term smoking risks.