In both sexes, almost all began to smoke before age 18, for both sexes. Prohibiting the sales of tobacco to youth may be just one part of Canada's Tobacco Demand Reduction Strategy, but it is an important part.
Surveys show that most smokers become addicted in their teens.
Keeping cigarettes out of the hands of young people is one of the best ways to safeguard their health and improve the well-being of Canadians. Provinces are also contributing legislatively to the National Strategy to Reduce Tobacco Use. Recently, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and British Columbia have taken legislative actions designed to reduce significantly tobacco consumption by young people. These actions go beyond the minimum standards set by the federal legislation. Bill C11 bans kiddie packs containing fewer than 20 cigarettes.