The provincial government is focusing on reducing the use of tobacco and vaping. (Photo 25474146 © 22north | Dreamstime.com)

By Christian Oldale

Alberta aiming to reduce tobacco usage and vaping

Jan 22, 2024 | 12:12 PM

The Alberta government is focusing on reducing the use of tobacco and vaping.

The government’s new Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy will support efforts to further reduce tobacco and vaping product use, particularly among younger Albertans.

A previous strategy was in place from 2015 to 2021, which officials said led to a decrease from 18.4 per cent to 11.5 per cent in the province’s overall smoking rate.

Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams said, “Our government is committed to supporting Albertans with healthy lifestyles, free from addiction.”

He added, “This reduction strategy will be vital to younger Albertans realizing the risks of tobacco use and vaping. We hope to see more Albertans choose to stop using these products as they learn more of the impact on their health.”

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The strategy focuses on prevention, protection, cessation and capacity building through the following methods:

• Initiating a public education campaign aimed primarily at youth.
• Developing online sales instructions for retailers pertaining to their role in limiting sales to youth in the online retail environment.
• Developing a guidance document for educators in partnership with Alberta Health Services and school officials to assist with the rise in vaping product use in schools.
• Continuing the work of the Tobacco and Vaping Enforcement Team.
• Continuing to respect the use of ceremonial tobacco by First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in traditional spiritual and cultural practices.
• Establishing a provincial advisory committee to monitor use of commercial smoking and vaping products, guide prevention and reduction efforts, and make the recommendations needed for ongoing progress.

According to officials, between 2013 and 2020, the number of Albertans between the ages of 15 and 19 who used a vaping product rose to 35 per cent from 18 per cent.