Surveys, statistics and research
On this page
We conduct research on smoking and vaping in Canada to:
- assess the size of the product market
- collect smoking, vaping and tobacco use data
- understand how Canadians are using these products
- keep on top of the latest science on tobacco and vaping products
Types of surveys and research
Understanding trends in tobacco and vaping product use among Canadians, as well as cannabis, drug, and alcohol use, is vital to the effective development, implementation and evaluation of national, provincial and territorial strategies, policies and programs.
Population-level surveys conducted by Statistics Canada are an important tool for determining trends in use of these substances in Canada among various age groups. Statistics Canada introduced changes to the surveys collecting information about tobacco and vaping product use. The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) transitioned in 2023 to collecting information from people in Canada aged 18 and older and is no longer collecting data on youth. The change in the CCHS was to avoid duplication with the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY) for the age group of 1 to 17. CHSCY collected data in 2019 and has since been re-introduced annually since 2023.
Prevalence data among Canadians
Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
Prevalence data on a wide range of health-related topics, including tobacco and vaping product use, among Canadians aged 12 years and older, from 2001 to 2022, and 18 years and older, from 2023 onwards. A data tool is available for 2023 and 2024 data. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and cannabis use among those aged 12 to 17. The survey began in 2019 and has been conducted annually since 2023. A data tool is available for 2019 and 2023 data.
Canadian Substance Use Survey (CSUS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, cannabis and drug use among Canadians aged 15 years and older.
Summaries are available on the Canadian Substance Use Survey page. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
CSUS has previously been named:
- Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CADS, 2019)
- Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS, 2013 - 2017)
- Canadian Alcohol and Drug use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS, 2008 - 2012)
- Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS, 1999 - 2012)
Prevalence data among Canadian children and youth
Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and cannabis use among those aged 12 to 17. The survey began in 2019 and has been conducted annually since 2023. For more information, see the Tobacco and Vaping Use in Canada data tool.
Canadian Student Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSADS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, cannabis and illegal drug use among Canadian students in grades 7 to 12 (secondary I through V in Quebec) in 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19, 2021-22 and 2023-24. Summaries are available.
Note: This survey was previously called the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS).
Youth Smoking Survey (YSS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use among Canadian students in grades 6 to 12 (grade 6 to secondary V in Quebec) in 2012-13. A summary is available. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
Public engagement and special surveys
The Government of Canada engages with Canadians on tobacco and vaping use related issues using public opinion research and consultation. We also conduct special surveys to determine the willingness of retailers to sell tobacco and vaping products to youth and to gain a better understanding of product placement, accessibility and promotion at retail outlets and online in Canada.
Public opinion research
Through methods like surveys and focus groups, public opinion research projects gather the opinions of Canadians related to tobacco use and vaping. Reports from August 1, 2006, onwards are published on the Library and Archives database. The database is searchable using key words like tobacco, smoking or vaping.
Consultations
Consultations are planned two-way discussions with individuals, organizations, or groups, external to the Government of Canada, designed to gather input, clarify information and foster understanding among those interested and affected by an issue, decision or action and to better inform decision-making. Open consultations can be searched on Consulting with Canadians. What We Heard reports can be found by searching on Canada.ca, for example, tobacco or vaping.
Scientific studies and evaluation
Health Canada conducts scientific studies and gathers, analyzes and reviews available literature and evidence on the health impacts of tobacco and vaping product use to inform and support evidence-based decision-making. Health Canada also conducts research and publishes papers in various scientific journals. Many of these articles can be found on PubMed (available in English only).
Related links
Publications and reports on smoking, vaping and tobacco on Canada.ca