For decades, British Columbians who want to smoke tobacco have been compelled to follow certain guidelines. Similar regulations came into place when marijuana was legalized in October 2018, and when vaping and e-cigarettes became relatively fashionable, particularly among younger adults.

Research Co. reviewed the current situation related to smoking and vaping in British Columbia. It is safe to say that there has been a significant decline in use.

In 1965, roughly half of Canadians considered themselves “smokers.” This year, just under one in five British Columbians (19 per cent) told us that they smoked tobacco in any form over the past year, a proportion that rises to 24 per cent among men, 35 per cent among northern B.C. residents and 34 per cent among those of Indigenous descent.

Just under one-in-four British Columbians (23 per cent) smoked marijuana over the past year, and a slightly smaller proportion (19 per cent) consumed marijuana in a non-smoking form. About one in six British Columbians (15 per cent) vaped, including 23 per cent of those aged 18-34 and 22 per cent of Conservative Party of B.C. voters in last year’s provincial........

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