A New Study Shows Quebec Smoking Trends & Millennials Still Use Cigarettes Over Vapes

You can probably guess which generation vapes the most.
Reporter

A new study by the Institut de la statistique du Québec breaks down the percentage of Quebecers who smoke cigarettes versus the percentage who vape. Did you know that the percentage of Quebecers aged 25 to 34 who smoke cigarettes is three times higher than the percentage that vapes

In all, 13,553 Quebecers aged 15 and older answered the survey, conducted on behalf of the health ministry between July and November 2020. 

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Who smokes more cigarettes?

Here are the stats for cigarette smokers by age group from most to least:

  • 25-34 years old (15%)

  • 35-64 years old (14%)

  • 18-24 years old (12%)

  • 65 years and older (8%)

  • 15-17 years old (4%)

Who vapes more?

Here are the stats for vapers by age group from most to least:

  • 15-17 years old (18%)

  • 18-24 years old (15%)

  • 25-34 years old (5%)

  • 35-64 years old (2%)

  • 65 years and older (1%)

Vaping results show a trend in young Quebecers

The data highlights that the highest percentage of vape users in Quebec are 15 to 17-year-olds, about three-and-a-half times higher than the percentage of 25- to 34-year-old vape enthusiasts.

Quebecers aged 15 to 24 make up the largest portion of vapers in the province at a combined 33 percent of all vapers, the data shows, while Quebecers aged 65 and over make up only one percent of all vapers in Quebec — indicative of the new trend among teenagers and young adults.

However, the highest percentage of cigarette smokers in the province are aged 25 to 34 at 15%, followed by those aged 35 to 64 at 14%, showing that millennials are still opting for cigarettes over vapes, while Gen Z is leaning heavily toward vaping.

  • Lea Sabbah
  • Lea Sabbah was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. Previously, Lea was a radio host on CJLO 1690 AM and her work has been published by Global News, the Toronto Star, Le Devoir and the National Observer. In 2019, she was part of the investigative team that uncovered lead in Montreal's drinking water — a story which won Quebec's Grand Prix Judith-Jasmin. She's a graduate of the journalism program at Concordia University.

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