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Federal Tobacco Control Strategy
The primary mission of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS), is to reduce tobacco-related death and disease among Canadians. Built on the tenets of prevention, protection, cessation (quitting smoking) and product regulation, the FTCS represents the most ambitious effort Canada has ever undertaken to fight the tobacco epidemic.
Canada is a world leader in tobacco control. Smoking attributable deaths have declined; cigarette sales have fallen by 30%; and for the first time in a decade, there has been a reduction in youth smoking rates.
Progress towards reducing tobacco consumption in Canada has been greater than anticipated. Most of the original FTCS objectives have already been met within less than the prescribed 10-year time frame. As a result, Health Canada has set a new prevalence goal and objectives for the remainder of the Strategy's tenure (April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2011).
The new goal of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy is to reduce overall smoking prevalence from 19% (2006) to 12% (by 2011).
The new objectives are to:
- Reduce the prevalence of Canadian youth (15-17) who smoke from 15% - 9%;
- Increase the number of adult Canadians who quit smoking by 1.5 million;
- Reduce the prevalence of Canadians exposed daily to second-hand smoke from 28% to 20%;
- Examine the next generation of tobacco control policy in Canada;
- Contribute to the global implementation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; and
- Monitor and assess contraband tobacco activities and enhance compliance.
The Strategy is directed at Canadians of all ages, with a particular emphasis on youth, young adults, First Nations, Inuit, and other Aboriginal groups.
Health Canada is the lead federal government department for Canada's Federal Tobacco Control Strategy, but the Strategy is championed by many parties working towards a reduction in tobacco use. Key federal partners in the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy are: Public Safety Canada (PS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Office of the Director of Prosecutions (ODPP), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). These departments support the FTCS objectives in monitoring and assessing contraband activities.
A strong relationship between federal, provincial and territorial governments ensures tobacco control efforts take place on a national scale. In addition, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), tobacco control researchers, academics, and community organizations have all helped to contribute to the success of tobacco control objectives in Canada.
