Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS): summary of results for 2020

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Tobacco Products and Vape Use
• Alcohol and Cannabis Use
• Reference information

Introduction

The Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS) 2020 measures the prevalence of cigarette smoking, vaping, alcohol and cannabis use among Canadians aged 15 years and older. CTNS is conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of Health Canada.

Understanding Canadian trends in tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use is vital to the effective development, implementation and evaluation of national and provincial strategies, policies and programs.

The following summary presents findings based on the second CTNS six-week data collection, which commenced December 8th, 2020 and ended January 16th, 2021. The results for 2020 are based on responses to an electronic questionnaire or telephone follow-up interviews from 8,112 respondents across all 10 provinces, representing a weighted total of 31.3 million Canadian residents aged 15 years and older. A set of detailed tables and some definitions used in this report are also provided.

Tobacco Products and Vape Use

Current Cigarette Smoking

The prevalence of current cigarette smoking in 2020 was 10% (3.2 million), a decrease from 12% in 2019. A higher percentage of men (12% or 1.9 million) than women (9% or 1.4 million) were currently smoking. Eight percent (8% or 2.5 million) of Canadians reported smoking daily and 2% (741,000) reported smoking occasionally. A higher percentage of men (9% or 1.4 million) than women (7% or 1.1 million) reported smoking daily.

Youth Cigarette Smoking (Aged 15 to 19 Years)

In 2020, the prevalence of current cigarette smoking among youth aged 15 to 19 was 3% (63,000), a decrease from 5% in 2019. The prevalence of daily and occasional smoking among youth was unreportable due to small sample size.

Young Adult Cigarette Smoking (Aged 20 to 24 Years)

The prevalence of current cigarette smoking among young adults aged 20 to 24 was 8% (201,000) in 2020, a decrease from 13% reported in 2019. The prevalence of current smoking was higher among young adult men (12% or 152,000) than women (4% or 50,000).
The prevalence of daily smoking among young adults was 5% (118,000) and 3% (83,000) smoked occasionally.

Adult Cigarette Smoking (Aged 25 Years and Older)

The prevalence of current cigarette smoking among Canadian adults aged 25 years and older was 11% (3.0 million) in 2020, a decrease from 13% in 2019. The prevalence of current smoking was higher among adult men (13% or 1.7 million) than among adult women (9% or 1.3 million).

The prevalence of daily smoking among adults aged 25 years and older was unchanged from 2019 at 9% (2.4 million), and occasional smoking was 2% (610,000). The prevalence of daily smoking was higher among adult men (10% or 1.3 million) than among adult women (8% or 1.0 million).

Use of Any Tobacco Product

The survey asked about past-30-day use of a number of tobacco products including: cigarettes, cigars, little cigars or cigarillos, chewing tobacco, water-pipe tobacco and pipes.

In 2020, 12% (3.7 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported using at least one tobacco product in the past 30 days, a decrease from 14% reported in 2019. In 2020, the prevalence of past-30-day use of at least one tobacco product was 6% (120,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, unchanged from 2019 (7%). Thirteen percent (13% or 295,000) of young adults aged 20 to 24 reported use of at least one tobacco product in the past 30 days, a decrease from 18% in 2019. Among adults aged 25 years and older, the prevalence of past-30-day use of at least one tobacco product was 13% (3.3 million), a decrease from 14% in 2019. Past-30-day use of at least one tobacco product was higher among men (15% or 2.3 million) than women (9% or 1.5 million).

Cigars

In 2020, 2% (761,000) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported smoking any type of cigar^{Footnote 1} in the past 30 days, unchanged from 2019. The prevalence of smoking any type of cigar in the past 30 days was 4% (101,000) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 2% (614,000) among adults aged 25 years and over. The prevalence of smoking any type of cigar in the past 30 days among youth aged 15 to 19 was unreportable due to small sample size. Smoking any type of cigar was higher among men (4% or 598,000) than women (1% or 163,000).

Two percent (2% or 528,000) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported smoking little cigars or cigarillos in the past 30 days, unchanged from 2019 (2%). Three percent (3% or 68,000) of young adults aged 20 to 24 reported smoking a little cigar or cigarillo in the past 30 days, and 2% (425,000) of adults aged 25 years and older reported doing so. The prevalence of smoking little cigars or cigarillos in the past 30 days among youth aged 15 to 19 was unreportable due to small sample size.

Water-pipe Tobacco

Past-30-day use of a water-pipe to smoke tobacco was reported by 1% (160,000) of Canadians aged 15 years and older, unchanged from 2019.

Chewing Tobacco

In 2020, the prevalence of past-30-day chewing tobacco use was 1% (160,000) among Canadians aged 15 years and older, unchanged from 2019.

Smoking Cessation

In 2020, the prevalence of former smoking was 25% (7.7 million) among Canadians aged 15 years and older, unchanged from 24% in 2019. Four percent (4% or 339,000) of people who formerly smoked had quit recently (less than one year ago), 7% (526,000) quit between 1 and 2 years ago, 8% (594,000) quit between 3 and 5 years ago, and 81% (6.3 million) had quit over 5 years ago.

The most popular cessation methods^{Footnote 2} reported by people who have recently quit and people who currently smoke who made at least one quit attempt in the past 12 months were “quitting on their own, without special preparation or help” (65% or 973,000), “reducing their number of cigarettes” (49% or 740,000), and “used nicotine replacement products” (32% or 474,000).

Among people who smoke cigarettes daily aged 15 years and older, 39% (963,000) had made at least one quit attempt lasting 24 hours in the past year.

Vaping^{Footnote 3}

In 2020, 17% (5.2 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older had ever vaped. The prevalence of ever vaping was 35% (711,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 43% (1.0 million) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 13% (3.4 million) among adults aged 25 years and older. Nineteen percent (19% or 3.0 million) of men had ever tried vaping, which was higher than women (14% or 2.2 million).

Past-30-day vaping was reported by 5% (1.5 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older, unchanged from 2019 (5%). The prevalence of past-30-day vaping was 14% (291,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 13% (312,000) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 3% (854,000) among adults aged 25 years and older. Past-30-day vaping was higher among men (6% or 880,000) than women (4% or 573,000).

Among Canadians who had used a vape in the past 30 days, 37% (532,000) reported currently smoking, 33% (485,000) reported formerly smoking and 30% (438,000) reported never smoking. People who never smoked made up the majority of Canadians who reported past-30-day vaping among youth aged 15 to 19 (74% or 215,000) and young adults (54% or 169,000), whereas people who currently smoke and people who formerly smoked made up the majority of Canadians who reported past-30-day vaping among adults aged 25 and over (94% or 799,000).

Among Canadians aged 15 years and older who had used a vape in the past 30 days, 45% reported using a fruit flavour most often, 17% mint or menthol, and 10% tobacco flavour. Over half of youth aged 15 to 19 (63%) and just under half of young adults aged 20 to 24 (45%) reported using a fruit flavour most often, while among adults aged 25 years and older, 39% reported using a fruit flavour most often.

Among Canadians who had used a vape in the past 30 days, 84% (1.2 million) reported vaping an e-liquid containing nicotine, 21% (267,000) reported vaping an e-liquid that did not contain nicotine, and 10% (122,000) reported vaping an e-liquid with unknown nicotine content over the same time period^{Footnote 4}.

Vape Sources and Reasons for Use

In 2020, Canadians who had used a vape in the past 30 days were asked where they usually get their vaping devices. The majority of Canadians aged 15 years and over that used a vape in the past 30 days reported using retail sources to get their vaping devices (80%). Retail sources included vape shops, convenience or gas, supermarkets, grocery stores, drug stores, and online sales. Among youth aged 15 to 19 who used a vape in the past 30 days, most (55%) reported using social sources for their devices. Social sources included buying from a friend or family member, asking someone else to buy them for you, and having a friend or family member give or lend them to you. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of young adults aged 20 to 24 and 92% of adults aged 25 and over that used a vape in the past 30 days reported using retail sources to obtain their vaping devices.

Canadians who had used a vape in the past 30 days were also asked where they usually get their vaping liquids. The majority of Canadians aged 15 years and over that used a vape in the past 30 days reported using retail sources to get their vaping liquids (78%). Among youth aged 15 to 19 who used a vape in the past 30 days, half (50%) reported using social sources for their vaping liquids. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of young adults aged 20 to 24, and 89% of adults aged 25 and over that used a vape in the past 30 days reported using retail sources to obtain their vaping liquids.

Among Canadians aged 15 years and over who used a vape in the past 30 days, the most commonly reported reasons for vaping were smoking cessation (29%), because they enjoyed it (17%), and curiosity (13%). The most commonly reported reasons for vaping among youth aged 15 to 19 who used a vape past 30 days were curiosity (26%), because they enjoyed it (27%), and to reduce stress (23%). Among young adults aged 20 to 24 who used a vape in the past 30 days, the most common reasons for vaping were because they enjoy it (24%) and to reduce stress (24%), while among adults aged 25 and over, the most common reason was smoking cessation (42%).

Vaping Cessation

In 2020, 37% (263,000) of Canadians aged 15 years and older who vape daily made at least one quit attempt lasting 24 hours in the past year. The majority (67% or 72,000) of youth aged 15 to 19 that used a vape daily made at least one quit attempt in the past 12 months. Among young adults aged 20 to 24 years who vape daily, 43% (57,000) made at least one quit attempt in the past 12 months. The proportion of adults aged 25 years and older who vape daily that made at least one quit attempt in the past year was unreportable.

Perceived Risk of Harm of Vapes in Comparison to Cigarettes

Canadians were asked how harmful using vaping devices with nicotine were to a person’s health compared to smoking cigarettes. The majority of Canadians thought that using a vaping device was either “about the same as cigarettes” in terms of harm (32%) or didn’t know (31%). Among Canadians who used a vape in the past-30-days, the majority thought using a vaping device was either “much less harmful than cigarettes” (26%) or “somewhat less harmful than cigarettes” (32%). Among Canadians who reported smoking in the past 30 days, the majority either didn’t know how harmful using a vaping device was in comparison to cigarettes (31%) or thought that using a vaping device was “about the same as cigarettes” in terms of harm (29%).

Provinces

Provincial prevalence of current smoking for Canadians aged 15 years and older ranged from a low of 8% in British Columbia to a high of 15% in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Past-30-day use of at least one tobacco product (cigarettes, cigars, little cigars or cigarillos, chewing tobacco, water-pipe and pipe) ranged from a low of 10% in British Columbia to a high of 15% in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

Past-30-day use of vapes ranged from a low of 4% in Quebec and British Columbia to a high of 6% in Alberta.

Alcohol and Cannabis Use

Alcohol Use

In 2020, 64% (20.0 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported using alcohol in the past 30 days, unchanged from 2019 (62%). The prevalence of using alcohol in the past 30 days was 37% (745,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 66% (1.6 million) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 66% (17.7 million) among adults aged 25 years and over. Past-30-day alcohol use was higher among men (66% or 10.1 million) than women (62% or 9.9 million).

The survey also asked about heavy alcohol use, referring to having four or more drinks on one occasion (at the same time or within a couple hours of each other). In 2020, 47% (14.8 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported heavy alcohol use in the past 12 months. The prevalence of heavy alcohol use in the past 12 months was 35% (703,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 65% (1.5 million) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 47% (12.6 million) among adults aged 25 years and over. Past-12-month heavy alcohol use was higher among men (52% or 8.0 million) than women (43% or 6.8 million).

Smoking Cannabis

In 2020, 40% (12.6 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported ever smoking cannabis, unchanged from 2019 (39%). The prevalence of ever smoking cannabis was 23% (471,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 52% (1.2 million) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 40% (10.9 million) among adults aged 25 years and over. The prevalence of ever smoking cannabis was higher among men (44% or 6.8 million) than women (37% or 5.8 million).

Smoking cannabis in the past 30 days was reported by 10% (3.2 million) of all Canadians aged 15 years and older, unchanged from 2019 (10%). The prevalence of smoking cannabis in the past 30 days was 11% (214,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 24% (562,000) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 9% (2.5 million) among adults aged 25 years and over. Thirteen percent (13% or 2.1 million) of men reported smoking cannabis in the past 30 days, which was higher than women (7% or 1.2 million).

Vaping Cannabis

In 2020, 11% (3.5 million) of Canadians aged 15 years and older reported ever vaping cannabis, an increase from 2019 (9%). The prevalence of ever vaping cannabis was 13% (259,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 26% (614,000) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 10% (2.6 million) among adults aged 25 years and over. The prevalence of ever vaping cannabis was higher among men (13% or 2.1 million) than women (9% or 1.4 million).

Vaping cannabis in the past 30 days was reported by 4% (1.1 million) of all Canadians aged 15 years and older, an increase from 2019 (3%). The prevalence of vaping cannabis in the past 30 days was 4% (85,000) among youth aged 15 to 19, 10% (232,000) among young adults aged 20 to 24, and 3% (819,000) among adults aged 25 years and over. Five percent (5% or 710,000) of men reported vaping cannabis in the past 30 days, which was higher than women (3% or 426,000).

Reference information

Statistics Canada conducts CTNS on behalf of Health Canada. The target population for CTNS is non-institutionalized persons 15 years of age or older, living in Canada's ten provinces, who are not members of collectives or living on reserves.
A sample of about 8,100 respondents consists of about 2,300 individuals aged 15 to 24, and 5,700 individuals aged 25 years and older across Canada.

CTNS data were collected directly from respondents either through an electronic questionnaire or telephone follow-up interviews. The sample for ages 15 to 24 were targeted respondents where the person is the sampling unit. The sample for ages 25 and older had a two stage sampling design where the sampling unit for the first stage is dwelling and the sampling unit for the second stage was person. The overall response rate for CTNS was 41%. Additional information about CTNS methodology can be found on Statistics Canada’s website at:
https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&Id=1291039

For the purposes of this report only univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted, with a t-test used to determine if results are statistically significantly different from one another. The data presented in this report have been weighted to allow the results to be generalized to the Canadian population.

For more information about the survey and the tobacco and vaping results, please write to the Tobacco Control Directorate, Health Canada, Address Locator 0301A, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, or send an e-mail request to: tcp.questions-plt@hc-sc.gc.ca

For information on the public-use microdata file, please contact Statistics Canada's Client Services, Centre for Social Data Integration and Development by e-mail (statcan.csdidclientservice-ciddsservicealaclientele.statcan@canada.ca), or by calling the toll-free telephone number (1-800-461-9050).