* Moderate sampling variability, interpret with caution.
# High sampling variability - although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.

Estimates may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.

The first 3 categories are current smokers, last 2 categories are former smokers.

** Stages of Change - a measure that divides ever smokers (i.e., current and former smokers combined) into 5 different categories, depending on their quit status or readiness to quit. The five stages are defined as follows:

Precontemplation - current smokers who answer "no" to the question, "Are you seriously considering quitting within the next 6 months?".

Contemplation - current smokers who are either seriously considering quitting within the next 6 months, but answer "no" to the question, "Are you seriously considering quitting within the next 30 days?" OR are seriously considering quitting within the next 30 days, but did not try to quit for at least 24 hours during the past year (i.e., answered "none" to the question, "In the last year, how many times have you quit for at least 24 hours?".

Preparation - current smokers who are seriously considering quitting within the next 30 days and have quit smoking at least once, for at least 24 hours, during the past year.

Action - former smokers (i.e., do not currently smoke) who have quit smoking within the past 5 months (inclusive).

Maintenance - former smokers who, at the time of the interview, had quit smoking at least 6 months ago.

Source: Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey, February - December 2000