Facts on tobacco use in Canada as government eyes new packaging rules
OTTAWA — Health advocates said Monday that Canada’s efforts to force tobacco manufacturers to use plain packaging will get a boost from a recent decision on similar measures in Uruguay. Here are some facts on tobacco use in Canada:
— Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Canada, including about 30 per cent of all cancer deaths.
— Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Canada.
— Smokers are about 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.