The Facts

  • Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in Canada.
  • Each year, over 47,000 Canadians die from smoking-related causes.
  • In Ontario, tobacco products kill over 16,000 people a year - that's the size of many small towns in Ontario!
  • Tobacco use is responsible for the deaths of half of all life-long pack-a-day smokers.
  • Smokers are 70% more likely to die from heart disease than non-smokers.
  • Smoking does not relieve stress. The craving for nicotine causes stress. When you smoke, the body stops craving nicotine. That's why you feel more relaxed.
  • Commercial tobacco can contain over 4000 chemicals. Over 50 of these chemicals cause or initiate cancer including: Carbon Monoxide, Tar, Ammonia, Cyanide and Lead.