By Diane Kunyk, Speakers’ Bureau HealthCPR
“In the 20th century, the tobacco epidemic killed 100 million people worldwide. During the 21st century, it could kill one billion.” WHO, 2008
The WHO concludes reversing this entirely preventable epidemic must now rank as a top priority for public health and for political leaders in every country of the world. And that six effective tobacco control policies can control the tobacco epidemic…
Despite this knowledge, Alberta has (contrary to the downward trend in the rest of Canada) recorded an increase in smoking of 2%. In real figures, this suggests that approximately 70,000 Albertans have started smoking in the last few months.
Who is disproportionately represented with this increase? CTUMS findings indicate a 50% increase among Alberta’s youth 15 - 19 years age (from 12% in 2009 to 18% in 2010). This rate indicates that the target rate of 9% or less set by AHS for youth aged 17 to 19 by 2011 is unattainable (ATRS June, 2008).
The Statistics Canada (CTUMS) information released on February 7, 2011 is concrete evidence that the burden of tobacco on the health of Albertans is increasing – in reverse of what is happening in the rest of Canada. Alberta has dropped in standing from 3rd lowest smoking rate to 7th lowest in the country.
Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death, disability and disease in Alberta. It continues to be the leading preventable cause of excess healthcare expenditure. Without an effective and evidence-based tobacco control strategy in Alberta, health spending in the future may not be controlled.
What will it take to follow the evidence?