Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott has issued a clarion call to the Forum on reducing tobacco use.
She wants to see new ideas that will reduce the percentage of smokers to less than 5 per cent by the year 2035.
@janephilpott committed to <5% by 2035. Excited for the future of #tobaccocontrol & where pharmacists fit in the picture #NFFTC17 #PAM2017 https://t.co/150FuVaU93
— PSFC (@RPhSmokeFree) March 1, 2017
She says smoking rates in Canada decreased from 22 per cent in 2001 to 13 per cent in 2015.
Every 14 minutes, a Canadian dies from a smoking-related illness and Philpott says 82 per cent of daily smokers started before the age of 18.
#NFFTC17 participants: we are looking forward to your ideas on #tobaccocontrol. Let’s get started! https://t.co/y8gEYYXrnw
— Health Canada (@HealthCanada) March 1, 2017
