Tobacco Reduction Strategy

Tobacco is addictive, poisonous and kills 16 British Columbians every day. Even so, more than 600,000 people in BC continue to smoke, with young adults showing the highest rates of smoking.

Even though 19 to 29 year-olds have become a major marketing target for tobacco companies, there are few programs to support them. To overcome this, BCHLA initiatives targeted these young adults in our BCHLA Tobacco Reduction Strategy. 

Smoking continues to exact a high price; in fact, it costs the BC economy more than $2.7 billion annually in direct and indirect healthcare costs. 

There are ways we can build on our successful record and continue moving toward a smoke-free future.

BCHLA recommends the following policies:

• Lobby pharmacies to stop selling cigarettes.
• Increase the price of cigarettes by $2.00 per carton per year
• Continue to protect against creative attempts by the tobacco industry to market their product, e.g. product placements, smoking in movies and magazines
• Improve compliance with restrictions on tobacco sales to minors
• The Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General work with BC Housing and the private sector to expand Smoke-free Housing
• Make youth related films with tobacco imagery ineligible for provincial film subsidies.
• Provincial ratings should make tobacco imagery a criteria for 18A classification, with the exception of depictions of historical figures and unambiguous depictions of the dire health consequences of tobacco use. 

BCHLA Initiatives:

Tobacco-Free Workplace Initiative

Targeting young adults where they work

Summary of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Evaluation of the Tobacco-Free Workplace Initiative.

For the complete report contact shartleyfolz(at)bchealthyliving(dot)ca

Tobacco-Free Post Secondary Initiative

Delivering the message where youth learn

Smoke Free Housing

Reaching young adults at home.

Summary of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Evaluation of the Smoke Free Housing Initiative.

Quitters Unite!

Informing young adults about the risks of tobacco use 

Goals and Targets:

BCHLA has one central objective to support British Columbians, which is to decrease tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke among young adults in the workplace, at post-secondary institutions, and in community settings.