Surveys, statistics and research
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We conduct research about smoking and vaping in Canada to:
- assess the size of the product market
- understand how Canadians are using these products
- keep on top of the latest science on tobacco and vaping products
- collect smoking, vaping and tobacco use data
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.
Prevalence data among Canadians 15 years and older
Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
Prevalence data on a wide range of health-related topics, including tobacco use, among Canadians aged 12 years and older, from 2001 onwards. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol and cannabis use among Canadians aged 15 years and older from 2019 onwards. Summaries are available. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CTADS)
Prevalence data of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, cannabis and drug use among Canadians aged 15 years and older. Summaries are available for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Statistics Canada provides a Public Use Microdata File.
Note: From 1999 to 2012, this survey was called the Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS).
Prevalence data among Canadian students
Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (CSTADS)
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, and 2021-2022. Summaries are available.
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
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