Remember when you could light up pretty much anywhere? Well, those days are long gone. With 2005 indoor smoking ban, things have shifted. I mean, think about Gladys and her bingo crew. Back in the day, they'd be puffing away while dabbing their cards. After the bans next thing you know, half of them are trying to figure out online bingo, just to keep the puff going! It's wild to think how much things have changed!
Back in the Day: 2005 - A Smoker's World
Remember when cigarettes were king? Back in 2005, around 23% of Canadians were regular smokers. Vaping? Barely even a blip – let's say around 1% or less of the population.
Fast Forward to 2025: A Shift in Habits
Now, let's jump to today. Things have changed a lot. Thanks to public health campaigns, higher taxes, and a growing awareness of the dangers of smoking, those numbers have shifted dramatically. By the end of 2025, we're seeing smoking rates drop to around 8% of Canadians. What was practically non-existent in 2005 has now become a common sight. Estimates suggest around 7% of Canadians vape regularly. It's a significant change, and it's got people talking.
The Reality Check: Vaping vs. Smoking
It's important to remember that vaping isn't a risk-free solution. But compared to the known harms of smoking, many experts consider ‘’a less harmful alternative to cigarettes’’.
The shift from smoking to vaping is a reflection of our changing understanding of health and addiction. It's a complex issue, and there are no easy answers. But one thing's for sure: we've come a long way from the days when cigarettes were the norm.