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Facts on tobacco use in Canada as government eyes new packaging rules

Jul 13, 2016 | 4:35 PM

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.