This text has been reproduced with permission from the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness, disability and premature death in Canada.
Nova Scotians die each year from tobacco related illnesses. In fact, tobacco kills three times more Canadians than alcohol, AIDS, illicit drugs, car accidents, suicide and murder, all combined. Overall, deaths from smoking result in 15 years loss of expected life, on average. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals. Many are known to be harmful substances, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetone, ammonia, cadmium and nickel.