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According to an ongoing province-wide survey, smoking rates in BC are highest among adults under 45 years old. Approximately 18% of 20- to 24-year-olds and 19% of 25- to 44-year-olds are current smokers. Males 25- to 44-years old are more likely to smoke than females (20% of males compared to 17% of females).
Smoking rates are lower for youth and adults over 45 years old. Seniors (65+ years old) have the lowest smoking rate at 12%.
Across the province, male smokers slightly outnumber female smokers. Approximately 17% of males and 16% of females are current smokers.
Smoking rates for males and females age 45- to 64-years old are the same. However, women over 65 years old smoke at a slightly higher rate than men of the same age (12% compared to 11%).
Smoking rates across age groups are lower than they were in the previous year. Most notably, the smoking rate for 20- to 24-year-olds decreased from 24% in 2006 to 18% in 2007. However, the rate for 15- to 19-year-olds increased slightly from 12% to 14% during this same period.
Overall, smoking rates in British Columbia have been in steady decline for several years. In 2003, 21% of BC residents were smokers. Four years later the rate had dropped to 16%.
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