“The best quitters never quit and that is the truth. It takes the average person four to five good quit attempts before they actually are successful,” Dr. Poteryko told NanaimoNewsNOW.
A 2021 Statistics Canada survey showed 12 per cent of Canadians aged 15 and up were current smokers.
As for the prevalence of vaping, a 2022 Statistics Canada survey showed 20 per cent of young Canadians between 20 and 24-years-old vaped, up from 15 per cent in 2019.
Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) data showed tobacco is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the country, killing about 48,000 people annually.
Tobacco usage was linked to to about one third of all cancer deaths in Canada, according to the CCS.
Dr. Poteryko stated since 1999 more than one million Canadians have quit smoking.
While less is known about the repercussions surrounding smoking cannabis, Dr. Poteryko said inhaling marijuana can lead to negative health outcomes.
“…It can cause heart disease, cancers and other things,” he said.
Dr. Poteryko said the average smoker lives a decade less than a non-smoker.
More information to quit smoking can be found at www.quitnow.ca, or calling the 24-hour smoker helpline Quit Now at 1-877-
